Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis died on May 19, 1994, at the age of 64. Her death followed a two-year private battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and marked the end of a life closely observed since her time in the White House. This evergreen profile establishes her age at death, confirms the cause, and contextualizes her legacy without speculation. The facts presented here draw on authoritative records and repeated public confirmation to support long-term usefulness for researchers and readers.
Age and date of death
Verified timeline
Below are the core factual attributes most frequently requested about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis at her death. The table aligns age, date, and context using widely documented sources.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of death | May 19, 1994 | Official records |
| Age at death | 64 years old | Obituaries and biographies |
| Cause of death | Non-Hodgkin lymphoma | Medical reports and family statements |
| Location of death | Manhattan, New York City, USA | News reports |
She was born Jacqueline Lee Bouvier on July 28, 1929, making her 64 years old at the time of her death in 1994.
Cause of death and medical context
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis died from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. She was diagnosed in 1992 and underwent treatment while maintaining a low public profile during a two-year course of the illness. Her decision to limit public exposure during treatment aligned with her long-held preference for privacy. By the time of her death in May 1994, medical reports confirmed that the cancer had progressed, leading to her death at home in Manhattan.
Biographical context and age significance
At 64, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was post-White House but still actively shaping cultural and intellectual life. She had worked as an editor at Viking Press and Doubleday, curated art exhibitions, and contributed scholarship to historic preservation. Her age at death situates her as a figure who survived the traumas of the 1960s and continued to exert influence well into the second half of the 20th century. The timing of her death in the mid-1990s also coincided with a period of intense media reflection on the Kennedys and their lasting imprint on American culture.
Immediate legacy and cultural memory
In the months following her death, obituaries worldwide emphasized her elegance, intelligence, and transformative effect on the image of the First Lady. Her preservation of White House history, including the restoration of the Oval Office and the East Room, established a standard for historical stewardship. The enduring public interest in her style, choices, and contributions demonstrates a legacy that extends far beyond the numeric fact of her age at death. By approaching her life with factual rigor, this profile supports long-term clarity rather than momentary fascination.
Comparison to contemporaries
Placing her age at death alongside other prominent public figures of her cohort helps clarify her place in historical memory. The table below offers a concise comparison without exaggeration.
| Name | Born | Died | Age at death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis | July 28, 1929 | May 19, 1994 | 64 |
| Eleanor Roosevelt | October 11, 1884 | November 7, 1962 | 78 |
| Pat Nixon | March 16, 1912 | June 22, 1993 | 81 |
| Mamie Eisenhower | November 14, 1896 | November 1, 1979 | 82 |
Enduring influence
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis shaped historic preservation, editorial standards, and public expectations of the First Lady role. Her work to restore and catalog the White House established a template for curatorial care in the executive mansion. Today, scholars and the public continue to reference her taste, composure, and intellectual rigor. These contributions form the durable elements of her influence, independent of the specific date or numeric fact of her age at death.
Quick facts recap
- Age at death: 64 years old
- Date of death: May 19, 1994
- Place of death: Manhattan, New York City
- Cause of death: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Born: July 28, 1929, as Jacqueline Lee Bouvier
Conclusion
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was 64 when she died on May 19, 1994. This age is confirmed by official records, contemporaneous obituaries, and enduring biographies. Understanding her age at death in context of her work, privacy preferences, and historical influence supports a stable, verifiable account that remains useful over time.