Joan Kennedy, the first wife of Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy,
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has died in her Boston home at the age of 89.
Kennedy passed away peacefully in her sleep early
Wednesday morning, a family spokesman confirmed.
She was married to the late senator for 24 years.
The pair shared three children together: Kara, Ted Jr and Patrick.
The classically trained pianist and politician divorced in 1983,
but was long-remembered for the struggles she endured throughout their marriage.
Kennedy battled alcoholism and depression for many years,
becoming one of the first leading ladies in America to publicly address addiction struggles.
She was an advocate for mental health and addiction services.
