Eunice Kennedy Shriver: Founder of the Special Olympics Dies at 88

Eunice Kennedy Shriver was an American philanthropist and sister of President John F. Kennedy. Born on July 10, 1921, in Brookline, Massachusetts, she was the fifth of nine children of Joseph and Rose Kennedy.

Inspired by her sister Rosemary, who had an intellectual disability, she founded Camp Shriver in 1962, which led to the Special Olympics in 1968. The Special Olympics now serves millions of athletes worldwide. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1984.

She married Sargent Shriver in 1953, and they had five children, including Maria Shriver. She died at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, Massachusetts, on August 11, 2009, at age 88.

Achievements: Founded the Special Olympics, Presidential Medal of Freedom (1984).

Birth: July 10, 1921 - Brookline, Massachusetts.

Profession: Philanthropist.

Interesting Facts: The first Special Olympics were held in Chicago in 1968.