Cheryl Hines, best known for her role in Curb Your Enthusiasm, stepped into a life quite different from Hollywood when she married Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in 2014. As the wife of a prominent member of the Kennedy family, her life became intertwined with American political and social spheres, marking a significant chapter in her personal journey. This exploration delves into the life of Cheryl Hines, her relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and her experiences within the renowned Kennedy family.
From Hollywood to Hyannis Port: Cheryl Hines’ Journey
Before becoming known as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s wife, Cheryl Hines carved out a successful career in Hollywood. Her path wasn’t an overnight sensation. Like many aspiring actors, Hines worked various jobs while pursuing her dream. One notable position was as a personal assistant to the acclaimed director and actor Rob Reiner. This connection indirectly paved her way to her breakthrough role in Curb Your Enthusiasm.
“When I auditioned for Curb, it was a one-hour special on HBO. It wasn’t even meant to be a series,” Hines recounted on The Back Room podcast. At the time, she was still working for Reiner. Her casting in Curb Your Enthusiasm as Cheryl David, Larry David’s wife on the show, was a turning point. Prior to this, Hines had taken on minor roles in television and film for about a decade. She herself acknowledged that her relative anonymity at the time was a factor in landing the role.
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Cheryl Hines and Robert Kennedy Jr. attend an event in 2012, showcasing their early relationship.
Her portrayal of Cheryl David earned her two Primetime Emmy nominations and opened doors to more significant roles in movies like Herbie: Fully Loaded, Cake, RV, and A Bad Moms Christmas, as well as the TV series Suburgatory. However, life took an unexpected turn when she was introduced to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., leading her into the orbit of one of America’s most famous political families.
The Serendipitous Introduction by Larry David
The connection between Cheryl Hines and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was orchestrated by none other than Larry David, her on-screen husband from Curb Your Enthusiasm. Hines shared with The New York Times that David introduced them in 2006 at a ski weekend fundraiser for the Waterkeeper Alliance, an environmental non-profit co-founded by Kennedy. At the time, both were married to other people – Hines to her first husband and Kennedy to Mary Kathleen Richardson.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Cheryl Hines, Amy Landecker, and Larry David are seen together in 2012, highlighting the role of Larry David in their relationship.
Hines recounted her initial surprise when Kennedy persuaded her to ski, despite her initial reluctance. She noted Larry David’s subtle encouragement towards the interaction. In 2014, she admitted that her knowledge of the Kennedy family was limited to history books.
It wasn’t until 2011, after Kennedy and Richardson had separated, that Hines and Kennedy reconnected. Despite initiating the introduction, David reportedly teased Hines about her budding romance with Kennedy. Kennedy later described their relationship as starting “slowly at first” before evolving into a romantic connection.
Tying the Knot: Marriage and Family Life
After dating for three years, Cheryl Hines and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly announced their relationship in October 2011 and got engaged in May 2014. They married on August 2, 2014, in a ceremony that blended Hollywood and Kennedy royalty.
Hines, inspired by Jackie Kennedy’s iconic style, wore a wedding gown reminiscent of the former First Lady’s elegance. Initially, they planned a small elopement with their children, but the wishes of their extended families led to a larger celebration at the Kennedy family compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. The “casual celebration” was attended by celebrity friends like Larry David, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Kevin Nealon, and Ed Begley Jr., alongside Senator Ed Markey.
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Cheryl Hines and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at Cheryl Hines’ Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in January 2014, just months before their wedding.
Their blended family is composed of seven children. Hines has a daughter, Catherine, from her previous marriage, while Kennedy has six adult children from his prior marriages. Hines expressed excitement about the merging of their families, noting the sweetness of the two large families coming together. Reflecting on marrying Kennedy, she conveyed her happiness about spending her life with someone she deeply enjoyed being with.
Ventures Beyond Acting: Business and Advocacy
Cheryl Hines’ life extends beyond acting and her role as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s wife. In 2023, she and her daughter Catherine launched Hines + Young, an eco-friendly cosmetics brand. The brand focuses on sustainability, particularly avoiding single-use plastics, and features products like scented candles, body creams, lip balms, and scrubs. Hines mentioned the idea for the business arose around the time Catherine started college.
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Cheryl Hines and her daughter Catherine Rose Young at “The Flight Attendant” season 2 premiere in April 2022, showcasing their close relationship that led to a business venture.
The launch of Hines + Young coincided with the increasing momentum of the 2024 presidential campaigns, including Kennedy’s. Hines acknowledged the irony of launching a business during such a potentially stressful period in her life.
Another passion of Hines is poker. She developed a love for the game in 2003 and considers herself an avid player. She even starred in The Grand, a 2008 film where actors played a real poker tournament.
Furthermore, Hines is a dedicated advocate for cerebral palsy awareness and research. This cause is close to her heart as her nephew was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a baby. She has been vocal about the financial burdens faced by families dealing with cerebral palsy, emphasizing the need for support and resources. Hines has also combined her passion for poker with advocacy, participating in tournaments to raise funds for cerebral palsy.
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Cheryl Hines and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attend the Keep It Clean Live Comedy To Benefit Waterkeeper Alliance in February 2019, highlighting their shared involvement in environmental causes.
Navigating Political Storms and Controversies
Being married to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., particularly during his controversial stances and political endeavors, placed Cheryl Hines in the midst of public scrutiny. One significant instance was Kennedy’s comparison of anti-vaccine advocacy to Anne Frank in January 2022. This statement drew widespread condemnation, and Hines publicly distanced herself from her husband’s remarks.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cheryl Hines at the Los Angeles premiere of ‘A Bad Moms Christmas’ in October 2017, showcasing their public appearances together.
On social media, Hines stated that her husband’s opinions did not reflect her own and called his Anne Frank comparison “reprehensible and insensitive.” Kennedy later apologized for his statement. Hines, who had to be vaccinated for her work, described this period as emotionally charged.
Adding to the complexities, Kennedy offered to publicly announce a separation to shield Hines from the backlash related to his views. However, Hines declined this offer, stating that she had not experienced negative repercussions for supporting her husband.
Despite differing on certain issues, Hines publicly supported Kennedy’s presidential aspirations when he announced his candidacy in April 2023. She described him as a “fearless leader” and endorsed his decision, although she refrained from discussing specific policy issues publicly. Kennedy acknowledged Hines’ significant influence on his campaign decisions, noting her wisdom and understanding of public sentiment. She even reportedly influenced his media appearances, advising against engagements like appearing on Steve Bannon’s show.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cheryl Hines wave to supporters after announcing his candidacy for President in April 2023, showing her public support for his political endeavors.
In interviews, Hines humorously compared being involved in the presidential campaign to an episode of VEEP, highlighting the surreal aspects of political life, including having a Secret Service detail. Ultimately, Kennedy dropped out of the presidential race in August 2024.
Marital Challenges and Public Support
In late 2024, rumors of marital strain surfaced when Hines was seen without her wedding ring. This coincided with reports of Kennedy’s “personal relationship” with a New York Magazine reporter, Olivia Nuzzi. Sources indicated Hines had considered divorce due to these developments.
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Robert F. Kennedy and Olivia Nuzzi, a photo associated with reports of a “personal relationship” that caused marital strain.
However, despite these challenges, Hines publicly supported Kennedy in subsequent months. She was present at his mother’s funeral and his Senate confirmation hearing after President Donald Trump nominated him to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They were also seen together at public events, displaying affection. Kennedy was eventually confirmed as Secretary of Health on February 13, 2025.
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Cheryl Hines and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in 2025, appearing together at public events after marital challenges.
Following his confirmation, Hines expressed her pride in Kennedy on social media, signaling a path toward reconciliation and continued partnership amidst personal and public challenges.
Conclusion: Cheryl Hines’ Multifaceted Role
Cheryl Hines’ journey from a Hollywood actress to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s wife is a story of personal evolution and adaptation. She has navigated the complexities of marrying into a politically prominent family while maintaining her own identity and career. Her life with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been marked by both shared joys and public controversies, showcasing her resilience and commitment to her multifaceted roles as a wife, mother, actress, businesswoman, and advocate. As Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s wife, Cheryl Hines has become a figure of public interest, embodying the intersection of Hollywood glamour and Kennedy family legacy in the 21st century.
