Celebrity

Why We May Never Know How Exactly JFK and Jackie Kennedy Got Engaged

There's much speculation about whether or not John F. Kennedy proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier at a restaurant. One man says he knows what happened.

by Mandi Kerr

Published on July 7, 2019

3 min read

Details surrounding the engagement of John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Jacqueline “Jackie” Bouvier may forever remain legend or folklore. Learn why ahead.

The ‘legend’ of JFK’s proposal to Jackie

Legend has it JFK, then 36 years old, proposed to Bouvier, 23, at Martin’s Tavern, a restaurant in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on June 24, 1953, while seated at Booth No. 3.

Opened in 1933, Martin’s Tavern is steeped in history. Even more so, with the legend of JFK and Jackie’s proposal story.

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The boot at Martin’s Tavern where JFK supposedly proposed to Jackie. | Instagram via kelly_blake_books

But that’s the thing, it’s just a story. Over the years, the details surrounding their engagement have never confirmed but not for lack of trying.

Witness comes forward, claims to have seen JFK propose to Jackie

According to The Washington Post, a witness came forward claiming he saw JFK propose to Jackie on that night in 1953.

Marion Smoak, 98, while dining at Martin’s Tavern, casually said he’d been there when the famous proposal supposedly happened.

Smoak made an official statement, in which he said he remembered drinking a martini when he saw Jackie and JFK among other guests in the restaurant. According to him, the proposal didn’t involve much fanfare. There was no public display but word got around after it happened.

John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier sit together in the sunshine at Kennedy's family home at Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, a few months before their wedding. — John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier sit together in the sunshine at Kennedy’s family home at Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. | Bettmann / Contributor

“After the senator proposed, and she accepted, the news ran through the restaurant,” Smoak said. “That night we didn’t know his future and what it would bring. In hindsight, it was great fun to witness a part of history.”

Kitty Kelley, author of Jackie Oh!, confirmed to The Washington Post, that the story’s plausible. Jackie and JFK did like to eat at Martin’s Tavern. Plus, they publicly announced their engagement one day later on June 25, 1953.

“I certainly hope it’s true,” Kelley told the publication.

While we may never know how exactly JFK and Jackie came to be engaged, here’s what we do know about their engagement.

They met at a Washington, D.C., dinner party in May of 1952, according to Business Insider. Journalist, Charles Bartlett introduced Jackie to Kennedy.

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis with camera — Jacqueline Bouvier posing with camera. | Ullstein picture/Ullstein picture via Getty Images

At the time, Jackie worked as an “Inquiring Camera Girl” for the Washington Times-Herald, a local newspaper, conducting man-on-the-street style interviews asking thought-provoking questions.

And Kennedy, a member of Congress, had been pursuing political aspirations.

The Washington Post later reported that JFK immediately fell for Jackie after their first meeting. “I’ve never met anyone like her,” he said.

When JFK popped the question, he did so with a ring by Van Cleef & Arpels ring containing a 2.88-carat diamond and a 2.84-carat emerald.

Senator John Kennedy & his bride Jacqueline in their wedding attire, as they sit down together at table to begin eating a pineapple salad at formally set table outdoors at their wedding reception. — Senator John Kennedy & his bride Jacqueline in their wedding attire, as they sit down together at a table to begin eating a pineapple salad at a formally set table outdoors at their wedding reception. | Lisa Larsen/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images

They began the summer with their engagement and ended it with their wedding. Jackie and JFK wed on September 12, 1953, at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Newport, Rhode Island, in front of 800 guests.

Jackie’s mother, Janet Lee Bouvier, hosted the reception at her 300-acre property known as Hammersmith Farm, according to Vogue. 400 more guests showed up to the reception where it took the newlyweds two hours to greet them all.

John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier cutting their wedding cake after their marriage in Newport, Rhode Island. — John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy (nee Bouvier) cutting their wedding cake after their marriage in Newport, Rhode Island. | Bettmann / Contributor

After lunch, Jackie and JFK danced for the first time as husband and wife to “I Married an Angel” by Meyer Davis and His Orchestra. Following the reception, they jetted off to Mexico for their honeymoon after guests sent them on their way by throwing rice and rose petals in the air as they made their exit.