16 Rarely Seen Photos of a Young Jackie Kennedy, an American Muse in the Making
John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier in June 1953.Credit: Getty ImagesThe Gist
Jackie Kennedy Onassis was born Jacqueline Lee Bouvier on July 28, 1929.
Before meeting future husband John F. Kennedy in 1952, her early years saw her moving in high-society circles and working as a journalist.
The future first lady enchanted the public from her earliest moments in the spotlight, thanks to her elegant fashion sense and charming personality.
Jackie Kennedy Onassis was a true American icon.
Born Jacqueline Lee Bouvier, the native New Yorker went from debutante and intrepid journalist to first lady, cultural advocate, and elegant muse. But while the latter half of her life is the subject of countless retrospectives, her early years were also filled with colorful scenes and captivating stories.
Jackie was a regular in high-society circles before meeting and getting engaged to future President John F. Kennedy. Her upper-class family gave her social connections and a charmed upbringing filled with ballet lessons and horseback riding. After graduating from George Washington University, she became an “inquiring camera-girl” for the Washington Times-Herald. It was there that Jackie made her first forays into the world of politics—she was even sent to cover Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953.
Her whirlwind romance with JFK began in May 1952, when they were introduced at a mutual friend’s dinner party. Soon they were an It couple; the public fawned over their every move. A year into the fairytale courtship, they were featured on the cover of Life magazine. In September 1953, the couple tied the knot, hosting what was considered to be the wedding of the year in Newport, Rhode Island.
Below, revisit the early years of the former first lady’s life in 16 rarely seen photos of a young Jackie Kennedy.
01 of 16
Dog Days
A 6-year-old Jacqueline Bouvier (L) with sister Lee at a dog show in East Hampton, 1935.Credit: Getty Images
In her childhood, Jackie and sister Lee Bouvier had a beloved white bull terrier named Regent. Once the Kennedy family moved into the White House decades later, Jackie and her husband and children kept dogs, horses, ponies, a canary, cat, rabbit, and parakeets, ducks, and hamsters, per the JFK Library.
02 of 16
Model Moment
A ‘Vogue’ portrait of Jacqueline Lee Bouvier at 18, in February 1948.Credit: Getty Images
Jackie made her Vogue debut in 1948, when she was just 18 years old. She’d later win a contest to become a junior editor at the magazine, but left the NYC and Paris-based job due to family pressure and became a journalist in Washington D.C. instead.
03 of 16
Dashing Debutantes
Sisters Jacqueline and Caroline Lee Bouvier pose for ‘Vogue’ in March 1951.Credit: Getty Images
In 1951, Jackie returned to the pages of the fashion glossy and posed alongside sister Lee. The debutantes would sometimes engage in a sibling rivalry—per Vanity Fair, Lee boldly showed up to Jackie’s official coming-out party (celebrating one’s entrance into high society and its dating pool) wearing a strapless pink dress covered in rhinestones. The attempt to upstage her didn’t faze Jackie, who later wore the pink gown on a different occasion.
04 of 16
Camera Girl
An undated, early ‘50s-era photo of Jackie Kennedy during her time as a journalist.Credit: ullstein bild via Getty Images
As a journalist, Jackie took a fearless approach to her “Inquiring Camera Girl” column for the Times-Herald, asking strangers their opinions on hot topics like wolf-whistling and politics.
05 of 16
Setting Sail
Lee Radziwill and Jackie Kennedy on a boat on September 15, 1951.Credit: Getty Images
Well-traveled long before she was first lady, Jackie enjoyed a trip to Europe with her sister in 1951. This photo shows them on board a boat, waiting to make their return voyage across the pond.
06 of 16
In Hyannis Port
Jacqueline Bouvier on vacation at the Kennedy compound in June 1953 in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.Credit: Hy Peskin/Getty Images
Jackie’s relaxed, off-duty summer style at the famous Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port—captured by Life in the magazine’s 1953 profile of her and then-fiancé JFK—continues to inspire New England vacationers today.
07 of 16
On the Record
Jacqueline Bouvier is interviewed for a LIFE Magazine story at the Kennedy compound in June 1953.Credit: Hy Peskin/Getty Images
She was usually the interviewer, but Life made Jackie the subject of the story for the photo essay, titled “Senator Kennedy Goes A-Courting.” Life’s feature introduced the couple to the public ahead of their wedding.
08 of 16
Summer Love
Senator John F. Kennedy and fiancee Jacqueline Bouvier at the Kennedy compound in June 1953.Credit: Hy Peskin/Getty Images
Journalist Charles Bartlett and his wife Martha set up the bubbly young reporter and the promising politician via a dinner party in May 1952.
09 of 16
Time for Cake
Jackie Kennedy and husband John F. Kennedy on their wedding day, September 12, 1953.Credit: Getty Images
The Kennedys’ wedding took place on September 12, 1953, and was considered the social event of the season, with almost 1,000 guests in attendance, per Life. Those who weren’t invited lined the streets to watch the American equivalent of a royal wedding.
10 of 16
Back to School
John F. Kennedy says goodbye to wife Jackie as she leaves for classes on March 9, 1954.Credit: Getty Images
Jackie, a lifelong learner, pursued continuing education at Georgetown in the mid-’50s. This snapshot is one of several images taken of the then-Senator’s wife near and on the campus, where she studied political history.
11 of 16
Strike a Pose
Jackie Kennedy at the April in Paris Ball at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC in April 1954.Credit: Getty Images
If there was a ball happening in NYC, chances were, Jackie would make her way up north to be there. In this photo, taken during a 1954 ball at the Waldorf Astoria, Jackie models the newest in Parisian fashion alongside Sloan Simpson and Celeste Holm.
12 of 16
A Sisterly Bond
Jackie Kennedy (L) and sister Lee, posing in chairs back to back, in March 1955.Credit: Getty Images
Jackie’s sister worked in public relations and as an interior designer, when she wasn’t busy mingling with high society. Lee maintained immaculately decorated apartments and homes in New York, Paris, and London, according to Elle Decor.
13 of 16
Football Foul
Jacqueline Kennedy leaves New England Baptist Hospital on November 18, 1955.Credit: Getty Images
Future first lady or not, the graceful icon wasn’t afraid to play rough during a game of touch football. That was the reason provided for her broken ankle, pictured here, although she appeared to take the injury in stride.
14 of 16
A Night Out
Jackie Kennedy at an ‘April in Paris’ ball in 1958.Credit: Slim Aarons/Getty Images
Another night, another ball. This particular image embodies the excitement (and exhaustion) of the end of a night out, and was captured by legendary photographer Slim Aarons.
15 of 16
The Wild West Ball
Jackie Kennedy talks to Baroness De La Bovillerie (L) at the Wild West Ball at The Plaza, 1959.Credit: Getty Images
In this 1959 photo, Jackie chats with Baroness De La Bouillerie, the wife of a French aristocrat, at a Wild West-themed ball.
16 of 16
Picnic Time
Jackie Kennedy at a picnic circa 1960s.Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
The Kennedys loved a good picnic—as did their children, Caroline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr., who held theirs on the South Lawn of the White House.
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Source: Entertainment
