The former attorney general, who was assassinated on June 5, 1968, shared 11 children with his wife Ethel
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Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy vowed never to remarry after his death in 1968, and kept her word.
The couple was introduced by Jean Kennedy while on a ski trip in Quebec back in 1945; he dated for his sister, Patricia, for several years, before the two would grow apart and Bobby and Ethel fell in love instead.
By 1950 Robert and Ethel were husband and wife. The couple would go on to welcome 11 children together (Kathleen, Joseph, Robert Jr., David, Courtney, Michael, Kerry, Christopher, Max, Douglas and Rory).
"We both wanted a lot of children, but there wasn't a huge discussion about it," Ethel told PEOPLE in 2012. "It wasn't a big deal. We were both from big families."
Robert and Ethel were married for 18 years before the U.S. senator was assassinated on June 5, 1968. She was present the night he was shot and by his side when he died the next day, and their youngest, Rory was born six months after Robert's death.
"I'd wake up in the morning and think he was happy in heaven and he had [his late father John F. Kennedy Jr.] — and they were together as they had been together on earth," she told PEOPLE, revealing that her faith helped her with the grief. "I didn't think how I would survive. I knew it would happen but I didn't know how."
Below, see vintage photos of Bobby and Ethel Kennedy together.
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Wedding Day
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Robert and Ethel are pictured exiting St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Greenwich, Conn. shortly after saying "I do" on June 17, 1950.
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Double Date Time
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In 1953, the two political brothers, Robert and John, as well as their spouses Ethel and Jacqueline, were snapped at the beach.
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At the Family Compound
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Robert and Ethel spent some quality time with Bobby, Kathleen and Joseph at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis, Mass. in the fall of 1955.
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Quiet Moments
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The Kennedys enjoy each other's company while hanging out at their home in 1957.
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Family Time
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The couple was pictured pushing their kids Joe and Robert on a swing set in this candid shot from 1957.
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Behind the Scenes
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Robert looked on as Ethel was evidently fascinated by one of the cameras during a visit to the Person to Person set in 1957.
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Homely Moments
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In this photo from 1959, the Kennedys are pictured walking the grounds of their McLean, Va. property with their brood.
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Up, Up and Away
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The attorney general and his wife waved as they embarked a plane ahead of their globe-circling, 26-day goodwill tour to Japan, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, the Netherlands and West Berlin in 1962.
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By Your Side
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Upon their return, Ethel proudly stood by her husband's side as he spoke to the press at New York International Airport.
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All Aboard
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Robert and Ethel had their hands full while posing for photos holding David, Bobby Jr., Joseph, and Mary in this throwback from 1957.
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Hair Down
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The couple was pictured relaxing and taking in the views on the bank of the Tampa River in this photo from 1965.
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Smile and Wave
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The couple waved and took in the crowd as they made their way through the Calgary Stampede in 1966.
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Full House
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The Kennedys were snapped with all 10 of their children circa 1965, before baby Rory joined the family following Robert's death.
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