Joan Kennedy, the first wife of Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy, has died in her Boston home at the age of 89.<\/p>\n
Kennedy passed away peacefully in her sleep early Wednesday morning, a family spokesman confirmed.<\/p>\n
She was married to the late senator for 24 years. The pair shared three children together: Kara, Ted Jr and Patrick.<\/p>\n
The classically trained pianist and politician divorced in 1983, but was long-remembered for the struggles she endured throughout their marriage.<\/p>\n
Kennedy battled alcoholism and depression for many years, becoming one of the first leading ladies in America to publicly address addiction struggles.<\/p>\n
She was an advocate for mental health and addiction services.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"