Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a man who seems to live ten lives at once. Between his environmental crusades, his polarizing stint as the Secretary of Health and Human Services under Donald Trump, and his habit of dumping dead bears in Central Park, it’s easy to lose track of the actual person behind the headlines. But lately, people haven't been talking about his policies or his falconry. They’ve been whispering about his marriage. Specifically, everyone wants to know: Is an RFK Jr divorce actually happening?
The short answer is no. At least, not right now. But honestly, the road to this "no" has been incredibly messy, involving high-stakes political drama and a very public "sexting" scandal that would have ended most other marriages.
🔗 Read more: Kim Kardashian Hottest Gallery: Why Her 2026 Style Shift is Actually Genius
The Scandal That Almost Broke the Internet
If you’ve been following the news, you know that 2024 and 2025 were rough for the Kennedy-Hines household. It wasn't just the political pivot that strained things. It was the Olivia Nuzzi situation. For those who need a refresher, Nuzzi was a high-profile political reporter who allegedly engaged in a "personal relationship" with Kennedy while she was supposed to be covering his campaign.
Hines, who is basically Hollywood royalty thanks to Curb Your Enthusiasm, was reportedly blindsided.
She was on vacation in Italy with her kids when the news broke. Imagine that for a second. You’re trying to have a nice glass of wine in Tuscany, and your phone starts exploding because your husband is being accused of a digital affair with a journalist half his age. In her recent memoir, Unscripted, Hines admits she felt "distant" and "unimportant." At that moment, a divorce seemed like a real possibility.
Why They Didn't Split
So, why are they still together? It turns out Bobby Kennedy has a somewhat... unique approach to crisis management. When the heat got too high, he actually suggested a "fake separation." He told Cheryl they should tell the world they were splitting up just to get the paparazzi and the political critics off her back.
Hines thought that was a terrible idea. She didn't want to live a lie, and she was worried they'd get caught by some photographer while grabbing coffee together. Instead of faking a split, they did the opposite. They moved to Washington, D.C.
- The DC Move: RFK Jr. bought a $4.4 million townhouse in Georgetown.
- The Ultimatum: Rumor has it Hines insisted on moving there to keep a "close watch" on him.
- The Reconciliation: They reportedly locked themselves in a room for days to "drill down on the truth."
It’s kind of wild to think about. They went from the brink of a very public RFK Jr divorce to becoming one of Washington’s new "power couples." Hines has been open about the fact that while she doesn't love the MAGA circle or the "stodgy" vibe of D.C., she’s committed to the marriage as long as the "lust demons" stay at bay.
A History of Contentious Splits
To understand why people were so quick to believe the divorce rumors, you have to look at Bobby's past. His previous marriages didn't exactly end quietly. His first marriage to Emily Black ended in 1994, but it was his second marriage to Mary Richardson that remains one of the darkest chapters in Kennedy history.
That divorce was a nightmare. It was filled with allegations of "scorched earth" legal tactics, secret recordings, and a diary that supposedly chronicled dozens of extramarital affairs. Tragically, Mary took her own life in 2012 while the divorce was still pending.
Because of that history, the public is conditioned to expect the worst when "Kennedy" and "divorce" appear in the same sentence. People remember the 60-page affidavits and the bitter custody battles. When the Nuzzi story broke, the collective reaction was basically, "Here we go again."
What Most People Get Wrong
Most people assume that political marriages are just business arrangements. They see Cheryl Hines smiling at an inauguration event and assume she's just playing a part. But if you read between the lines of her interviews, it’s more complicated than that.
She’s genuinely funny, she’s clearly exhausted by the political circus, and she seems to have a "ride or die" mentality that survives even the weirdest scandals. They’ve managed to blend their families—his six kids and her daughter, Cat—into a unit that actually seems to function.
🔗 Read more: Kevin Ashton: Why the TikTok Sorority Chef’s Cancer Journey Still Matters
Is the marriage perfect? Obviously not. But as of 2026, the RFK Jr divorce is a headline that hasn't come to pass. They chose the Georgetown townhouse over the courtroom.
Actionable Insights for Following Celebrity News
If you're trying to keep up with the chaos of the Kennedy family or any high-profile political couple, here’s how to separate the signal from the noise:
- Check the Real Estate: In the world of the ultra-wealthy, where they buy (or sell) houses is a better indicator of marriage health than any "source" in a tabloid. The Georgetown purchase was a massive sign of reconciliation.
- Look for Memoirs: When a spouse releases a book (like Hines did with Unscripted), they are usually setting the narrative. It’s their way of saying, "We’ve dealt with the mess, now move on."
- Watch the "Fake Split" Narrative: Politicians often use the "separation" card to protect their partner's career. If you see a couple "separating" but still living in the same zip code, it's often a PR move rather than a legal one.
Ultimately, the Kennedy saga continues to be a mix of tragedy, brilliance, and bizarre tabloid fodder. Whether you love him or hate him, you've got to admit: it's never boring.