The country star<\/a>, 57, opened up about his friendship with Ethel Kennedy and explained why the two gravitated toward each other in such a profound way in his newly released book, “Heart Life Music.”<\/p>\n “[Rory Kennedy] invited me to come to Hyannis Port to meet her mother, Ethel, the day before our Gillette shows. When you pull up to the Kennedy compound<\/a> and see that yard you\u2019ve seen so many times in magazines and news clips, the history hits you,” Chesney wrote in the book.<\/p>\n “Then, Ethel Kennedy sees you and reaches for a hug, she\u2019s so bright and welcoming, her presence eclipses all of it.<\/p>\n ETHEL KENNEDY’S FUNERAL FEATURES SURPRISE EMOTIONAL PERFORMANCE BY STING<\/a><\/p>\n Kenny Chesney wrote about his friendship with Ethel Kennedy in his new book. (Nathan Congleton\/NBC via Getty Images; Kevin Mazur\/Getty Images for RFK Ripple Of Hope)<\/p>\n “From the moment I sat down on the couch with her, there wasn\u2019t any history. I didn\u2019t think about her as an activist, an icon, but someone filled with life, who filled everyone with love,” he continued. “Walk around the house, you see the black-and-white images of John F. Kennedy, Ethel, and Bobby, waiting on election returns. They\u2019re sitting in this wonderful living room, where I was seated, waiting for JFK to win by that narrow margin.<\/p>\n KENNY CHESNEY SHARES PAINFUL TRUTH BEHIND HIS UNEXPECTED ON-STAGE TEARS DURING INDIANAPOLIS CONCERT<\/a><\/p>\n “Somewhere in that day \u2014 we had lunch, went for a sail in Nantucket Sound, came back and talked, played volleyball in the backyard with all the kids \u2014 we fell in deep soul love. Her spirit is so engaging, I wanted to soak it all up.”<\/p>\n Ethel was the sister-in-law of former President John F. Kennedy<\/a>. She founded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization in 1968 after her husband was assassinated in June of that year.<\/p>\n Chesney said he couldn’t believe the connection they shared.<\/p>\n LIKE WHAT YOU\u2019RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS<\/a><\/p>\n Chesney wrote that his friendship with Ethel was “one of those written-in-the-universe things.” (Stephen Lovekin\/Variety\/Penske Media via Getty Images)<\/p>\n KENNY CHESNEY MOURNS BRETT JAMES AFTER COUNTRY SONGWRITER DIES IN PLANE CRASH WITH WIFE AND STEPDAUGHTER<\/a><\/p>\n “One of those written-in-the-universe things, it was only the beginning,” he wrote. “I went on so many sailing trips, as well as Ethel\u2019s ninetieth birthday party<\/a> in Palm Beach. I\u2019m not political. She didn\u2019t care.<\/p>\n “Everything about us clicked. The humor, curiosity, passion for living was our reality,” he noted. “We shared so many laughs and moments, Page Six, the New York Post\u2019s gossip column, ran an item headlined, \u2018Are Ethel Kennedy and Kenny Chesney Sailing Buddies?\u2019 She was ninety, having more fun than people a third her age. Nobody loved living, her family, dogs, or causes more.”<\/p>\n Kenny Chesney performed at Ethel’s funeral in 2024. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Ethel died at the age<\/a> of 96 in October 2024.<\/p>\n Former Congressman Joe Kennedy III<\/a> announced Ethel’s death in a post on social media.<\/p>\n “It is with our hearts full of love that we announce the passing of our amazing grandmother, Ethel Kennedy. She died this morning from complications related to a stroke suffered last week. Along with a lifetime’s work in social justice and human rights, our mother leaves behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom love her dearly,” Joe wrote.<\/p>\n “She was a devout Catholic and a daily communicant, and we are comforted in knowing she is reunited with the love of her life, our father, Robert F. Kennedy; her children David and Michael; her daughter-in-law Mary; her grandchildren Maeve and Saoirse; and her great-grandchildren Gideon and Josie,” he added. “Please keep her in your hearts and prayers.”<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n Chesney said he was “surprised” when he was later asked to sing at Ethel’s funeral.<\/p>\n Kenny Chesney sings “You Are My Sunshine” during a memorial service for Ethel Kennedy Oct. 16, 2024, at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C. (Mandel Ngan\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Kenny](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/kenny-chesney-ethel-kennedy.jpg\")
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