Jackie Kennedy hospitalized for an eating disorder, fighting for her life.

Jackie Kennedy, former First Lady of the United States, battled an eating disorder that led to her hospitalization and near-death experience, as revealed in the new book ‘Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed’ by DailyMail.com columnist Maureen Callahan. The book details Jackie’s struggles with various health issues, including disordered eating and post-traumatic stress disorder following her husband President John F Kennedy’s assassination in 1963. Additionally, Jackie faced multiple pregnancy complications, such as miscarriages, a stillborn baby, and the death of her son Patrick at just two days old in 1963, months before JFK’s assassination.

During her marriage to her second husband, Aristotle Onassis, Jackie embarked on an extreme weight-loss journey after a National Enquirer front page speculated about her pregnancy based on her belly’s appearance. This led Jackie to follow a crash starvation diet, consisting of minimal food intake, which resulted in her rapid weight loss and subsequent hospitalization due to panic attacks and physical weakness. Callahan’s book includes exclusive insights into Jackie’s private health struggles, shedding light on her mental health issues, depression, and battles with infertility likely caused by sexually transmitted diseases contracted from JFK.

Apart from her physical health challenges, Jackie also dealt with intense emotional trauma, particularly from JFK’s infidelities and the constant stress of being in the public eye. Despite her struggles, JFK was seemingly unaware or indifferent to her suffering, as evidenced by his decision to send her to a mental hospital for elite treatment, including electroshock therapy. Even after JFK’s death, Jackie continued to experience the lasting effects of her traumatic experiences, including post-traumatic stress disorder and physical pain in her neck, believed to be caused by nerve damage from cradling JFK’s head after he was shot.

The revelations in ‘Ask Not’ provide a deeper understanding of Jackie Kennedy’s complex and challenging life, showcasing the toll that her personal struggles, health issues, and traumatic experiences took on her well-being. The book offers a poignant perspective on Jackie’s resilience and inner strength in the face of adversity, highlighting her courage in overcoming various obstacles and maintaining her grace and dignity throughout her tumultuous life. Through its detailed examination of Jackie’s health battles and personal struggles, ‘Ask Not’ sheds light on the often overlooked aspects of her life and legacy, showcasing her as a multifaceted and resilient woman who navigated the complexities of fame, tragedy, and personal turmoil with courage and perseverance.