Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Wife Mary Was 'Depressed & Despondent' Before Suicide
May 16 2012, Published 11:05 a.m. ET
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy, was "depressed and despondent" shortly before she committed suicide, a source close to the former architect tells RadarOnline.com exclusively.
The long time friend, who spoke to Mary on Monday, said they were sadly not surprised by reports that the 52-year-old had taken her own life, as she was facing mounting financial woes and the end of her marriage.
As RadarOnline.com was first to report, Mary was discovered dead at her Mount Kisco, New York home Wednesday. A source told RadarOnline.com that she had committed suicide, we have since confirmed that she hanged herself in a barn.
"I spoke to Mary on Monday and she sounded extremely down," the source tells RadarOnline.com. "She was very depressed and despondent and worried about the future.
"Mary said she was facing financial ruin, with American Express coming after her hard for an outstanding debt, along with several other creditors. In addition, she was concerned that Robert was about to substantially reduce the amount of financial support he gave her and she was terrified she would have to file for bankruptcy and lose her home."
Mary was married to the famed Kennedy for 16 years, before he filed for divorce in May 2010. The couple had four children together.
Mary lived at the family home in Mount Kisco, while Robert spent the majority of his time in Los Angeles.
"Robert still supported Mary and was there for her whenever he could be, but he had pretty much moved on," a source close to the radio host previously told RadarOnline.com. "He has been dating Cheryl Hines for a while now and they are very happy together."
The initial source tells RadarOnline.com that Mary was struggling to come to terms with the end of their marriage, despite Robert having filed for divorce two years previously, and that the couple was heading to trial.
"It was very tough for Mary to deal with Robert dating someone else," the source says. "And it really didn't help that the new woman is a celebrity. She would see photos of the two of them together and it would drive her nuts. I think, deep down, she had still harbored a belief they would get back together but it had recently become blindingly clear that wasn't to be."
"Mary was in a very dark place recently," the second source told RadarOnline.com previously. "Robert tried to help her all he could but it was difficult for him to be around her. Robert is committed to his sobriety but Mary had chosen a whole different path to take."
Mary was charged with driving under the influence in May 2010 by the Bedford, New York police after she failed a number of sobriety tests and her blood alcohol level registered at 0.11. The incident occurred just three days after Robert filed for divorce.
"Mary has struggled with alcoholism throughout her life," her friend tells RadarOnline.com. "She had been hitting the bottle again pretty heavily recently.
"When I heard the news that she may have taken her own life I was devastated, but not that surprised. It was in the back of my mind that she may do something like this, and that was compounded by the conversation I had with her Monday.
"However she died though, this is an absolute tragedy. Mary was an amazing and beautiful person and she absolutely adored her children. It is a devastating loss to all that knew her."
“We deeply regret the death of our beloved sister Mary, whose radiant and creative spirit will be sorely missed by those who loved her," a Kennedy family representative told RadarOnline.com. "Our heart goes out to her children who she loved without reservation. We have no further comment at this time.”
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Inside The Tragic Curse Of The Kennedy Family
Police At Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s House, His Wife Mary Dead At 52
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