A private journal containing intimate details of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s extramarital affairs emerged as a haunting discovery by his late wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy.
According to the New York Post, the 398-page red diary from 2001 contained a detailed scorecard of Kennedy's sexual encounters with 37 women, using a numerical coding system that his wife later revealed to a confidant.
The journal's contents painted a complex portrait of Kennedy's struggles with what he called his "lust demons" while maintaining a public image as an environmental lawyer and political figure.
Mary Richardson Kennedy, who discovered the diary in their home, took her own life in 2012 amid their divorce proceedings and Kennedy's continued infidelities.
The diary utilized a sophisticated coding method where women's names were listed with numbers from 1 to 10, with 10 signifying sexual intercourse. Of the 37 women documented, 16 received the highest rating. The list included various professionals, from lawyers to environmental activists and even the wife of a prominent actor.
Kennedy wrote extensively about his internal struggle with temptation. On days when he successfully resisted sexual encounters, he would write "Victory" in his journal. This pattern revealed his ongoing battle between desire and his Catholic faith.
In one particularly revealing entry, Kennedy expressed his conflicted feelings about his privileged life as he wrote:
I've got to do better. Avoid the company of women. You have not the strength to resist their charms. Be humble like a monk. Keep your hands to yourself. Avert your eyes.
The discovery of the diary severely impacted the Kennedy marriage, which was already strained by various factors. Mary Richardson Kennedy had been struggling with depression and alcoholism during this period, though these issues received minimal mention in Kennedy's journal entries.
Kennedy's documentation showed a striking disparity between his public declarations of love for his wife and his private actions. He regularly wrote tender letters to Mary while simultaneously recording his encounters with other women.
The couple's relationship reached its breaking point in 2010 when Kennedy filed for divorce. Mary Richardson Kennedy's emotional distress intensified during the separation, culminating in her tragic suicide by hanging at their Bedford estate in May 2012.
The revelation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s secret diary exposed the complex dynamics that led to the dissolution of his marriage to Mary Richardson Kennedy.
The detailed account of his extramarital affairs, documented through a numerical coding system, provided insight into the private struggles that ultimately contributed to his wife's tragic death.
The diary's discovery highlighted the stark contrast between Kennedy's public persona and private actions while also documenting his internal conflict between religious guilt and sexual desire. The case underscores the devastating impact of infidelity and mental health struggles within one of America's most prominent political families.
