You’ve probably seen her. Maybe it was on Curb Your Enthusiasm where she plays Larry David’s long-suffering, incredibly patient wife. Or maybe it was in a grainy paparazzi shot standing next to a guy with a raspy voice and a very famous last name. When people ask who is rfk wife, they aren't just looking for a name. They’re looking for how a Hollywood sitcom star ended up in the middle of one of the most controversial political dynasties in American history.
Her name is Cheryl Hines.
She’s a two-time Emmy nominee. She’s a director. She’s a producer. But since 2014, she has also been the woman balancing a career in comedy with the intense, often polarizing world of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. It’s a weird mix. Honestly, if you wrote this as a script for a TV show, people would say it’s too "on the nose."
The Curb Connection: How Larry David Played Matchmaker
Most people think famous people just meet at galas or fundraisers. Sometimes they do. But for Cheryl, the introduction to the man who would become her husband came through the most awkward man in Hollywood: Larry David.
It happened about two decades ago.
Cheryl and Larry were already working together on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Larry was friends with Bobby Kennedy. At the time, both Cheryl and Bobby were married to other people. It wasn’t some scandalous affair. It was just a slow-burn introduction that happened at a fundraiser in Deer Valley, Utah. Larry actually introduced them twice because the first time didn't really stick.
Years later, after Bobby’s tragic and public divorce from his second wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy—and after Cheryl’s own divorce from Paul Young—the two reconnected. They started dating in 2011. They got married in 2014 at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port.
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Why the Wedding Was Such a Big Deal
The wedding was massive. We're talking a white tent, a casual atmosphere, and a guest list that felt like a mashup of Saturday Night Live and a C-SPAN broadcast. Julia Louis-Dreyfus was there. So was Kevin Nealon. It was the moment Cheryl Hines officially became a "Kennedy," a title that comes with a lot of baggage, a lot of history, and a very bright spotlight that never really turns off.
Balancing Hollywood and the Kennedy Name
Being rfk wife isn't exactly a part-time job. Cheryl has had to navigate a minefield of public opinion that most actors never touch. Bobby isn't just a Kennedy; he’s a guy who says things that make people angry. A lot.
Whether it's his stance on vaccines, his environmental activism, or his 2024 presidential run, he is a lightning rod. This creates a very specific kind of tension for Cheryl. Think about it. She works in an industry (Hollywood) that is overwhelmingly liberal and often very critical of her husband’s more fringe theories.
She has been incredibly candid about this. In various interviews, like her 2023 sit-down with The Hollywood Reporter, she’s admitted that she doesn’t always agree with him. That’s a key distinction. She isn't his spokesperson. She’s his wife. She has her own brain, her own career, and her own set of friends who likely grill her at dinner parties about what "Bobby" is saying lately.
The "Apology" Incident
One of the most awkward moments in their marriage happened in 2022. During a speech at the Lincoln Memorial, Bobby made a comparison between vaccine mandates and the conditions in Nazi Germany.
The backlash was instant.
Cheryl did something you don't see often in political marriages. She went on X (then Twitter) and publicly distanced herself. She called his comments "reprehensible." She didn't mince words. It was a fascinating look at how their relationship functions. They have a "disagree and move on" policy that seems to keep them afloat even when the internet is trying to cancel them both.
Who is RFK’s Wife Outside of Politics?
If you strip away the Kennedy name, who is she? Cheryl Hines grew up in Tallahassee, Florida. She wasn't born into money or power. Her family was working-class. She went to Florida State University and then moved to Los Angeles to chase the dream, working as a personal assistant to Rob Reiner for a while.
She's a Groundlings alum. That’s the legendary improv troupe that gave us Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig. That’s where she learned the "yes, and" technique, which, frankly, she probably uses every day while dealing with the press.
- Television: Curb Your Enthusiasm, Suburgatory, The Flight Attendant.
- Film: Waitress, Bad Moms Christmas.
- Directing: She directed the 2009 film Serious Moonlight, starring Meg Ryan.
She’s also a mother. She has a daughter, Catherine Rose Young, from her first marriage. One of the things that rarely gets talked about is how she has integrated her life with Bobby’s six children from his previous marriages. Being a stepmother in a family as sprawling as the Kennedys is basically an Olympic sport.
The Complicated Reality of Being RFK Wife
It’s easy to look at a celebrity couple and see a caricature. People want to cast Cheryl as either a victim of her husband's controversial views or a secret co-conspirator. The truth is probably way more boring and human.
She loves him.
That’s usually what it comes down to. In her eyes, he’s a guy who loves the outdoors, who is passionate about the environment, and who cares deeply about the country, even if his methods of showing it drive half the population crazy.
Does She Support His Presidential Ambitions?
When Bobby announced he was running for President—initially as a Democrat and then as an Independent—the first question everyone had was: "Is Cheryl going to be on the trail?"
The answer was a hesitant yes.
She appeared at his announcement. She stands on stages. But she also makes it very clear that she isn't quitting her day job. She told Variety that she loves her husband and supports his right to run, but she isn't interested in being a traditional First Lady who picks out china patterns and stays silent. If she ever ended up in the White House, she’d probably be the first First Lady to keep her SAG-AFTRA membership active.
Common Misconceptions About Cheryl Hines
Let's clear some things up. People get a lot wrong when they search for who is rfk wife.
First, she isn't his first wife. Bobby was married twice before. His first wife was Emily Ruth Black. His second was Mary Richardson Kennedy, who tragically passed away in 2012. Cheryl entered the picture during a very dark time for the family.
Second, she isn't "anti-science" just because her husband is often labeled as such. She has repeatedly stated her support for public health, even when it puts her at odds with Bobby’s public statements.
Third, she isn't just a "trophy wife." She was a successful, self-made millionaire long before she married a Kennedy. Her net worth, estimated around $14 million, comes from decades of steady work in television and film. She doesn't need the Kennedy money, which gives her a level of independence you don't usually see in political unions.
What This Means for the Public Image of the Kennedys
The Kennedy family is famously fractured over Bobby’s recent political moves. Many of his siblings have publicly denounced his campaign. This puts Cheryl in an incredibly awkward spot during family holidays. Imagine Thanksgiving dinner when your in-laws have literally issued a press release saying your husband is a danger to the country.
Yet, she stays.
She provides a "normalcy" factor. To the average voter or viewer, Cheryl Hines is a familiar face. She’s funny. She’s relatable. By standing next to him, she softens his image. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing depends entirely on your own political leanings, but it’s a powerful dynamic.
Actionable Insights: Navigating the News
When you are following the story of who is rfk wife, it is vital to look at the sources. The tabloid narrative often tries to pit her against the rest of the Kennedy clan for clicks.
- Check the context: When you see a headline about Cheryl "slamming" Bobby, look at the date. Most of these are recycled quotes from the 2022 Nazi comparison incident.
- Follow her career: If you want to see the "real" Cheryl, watch her work. Her performance in Curb is heavily based on improv, which reveals a lot about her actual personality and quick wit.
- Separate the person from the spouse: It’s a very 1950s mindset to assume a wife holds every single belief her husband does. Understanding their "separate but together" approach is the only way to make sense of their marriage.
Cheryl Hines remains one of the most interesting figures in the 2024–2026 political cycle precisely because she doesn't fit the mold. She isn't a political operative. She’s an actor who fell in love with a man who happens to be a human whirlwind.
To stay informed on her latest projects or public statements regarding the campaign, keep an eye on industry trades like The Hollywood Reporter or Variety, which tend to get the most nuanced interviews from her. For the political side, checking the FEC filings or official campaign press releases will give you the hard data on her involvement in the "Kennedy for President" machine.
Ultimately, the story of RFK Jr’s wife is a story about the messy intersection of Hollywood fame and American political royalty. It’s not a sitcom, though it certainly feels like one sometimes.
Next Steps for Readers
- Verify the timeline: If you're researching their relationship for political reasons, cross-reference his divorce filings with their first public appearances to understand the transition period.
- Watch the interviews: Look for her 2023 appearance on The View to see how she handles direct questioning about her husband's controversies.
- Evaluate the "Kennedy" brand: Consider how the family's internal disagreements affect the public perception of both Cheryl and Bobby.