RFK Jr.: Biography, Brain Worm, Family, and Health Conditions

There’s a reason the name “Kennedy” still sparks curiosity decades after the family’s most famous moments in American political life. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nephew of President John F. Kennedy and son of the former U.S. Attorney General, has carved his own path through environmental law, public advocacy, and a surprising recent role as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. This article walks through his biography, the health conditions he has discussed publicly, and the family dynamics that keep people asking questions. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of the facts and the open questions surrounding this complex figure.

Full name: Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. ·
Born: January 17, 1954 ·
Age: 71 ·
Current role: U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services ·
Notable for: Environmental lawyer, author, presidential candidate ·
Father: Robert F. Kennedy (U.S. Attorney General, Senator)

How Is RFK Jr. Related to John F. Kennedy?

One of the most common questions about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is how exactly he fits into the Kennedy family tree. The answer is straightforward: he is the nephew of President John F. Kennedy and the son of Robert F. Kennedy, the former U.S. Attorney General and senator.

Robert F. Kennedy Sr., RFK Jr.’s father, was John F. Kennedy’s younger brother and served as Attorney General from 1961 to 1964 under President Kennedy. The JFK Library notes that Robert F. Kennedy was a close advisor to the president, making the family’s political ties central to American history. (JFK Library)

Because of this lineage, RFK Jr. was born into a political dynasty that includes a president, a senator, and several other candidates for public office. The Miller Center at the University of Virginia describes him as the third of eleven children in the Kennedy family. (Miller Center)

Age: 71 (born January 17, 1954) ·
Height: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) ·
Spouse: Cheryl Hines (m. 2014) ·
Political party: Democratic (formerly), independent (currently) ·
Children: 6 (including Conor, Kathleen) ·
Notable for: Environmental activism, HHS Secretary, 2024 presidential candidate

How Did RFK Jr. Get His Brain Worm?

In 2012, during a deposition, RFK Jr. revealed that he had been diagnosed with a parasitic brain infection. The worm, Taenia solium—a pork tapeworm larva—had entered his brain and caused a calcified lesion. This condition, neurocysticercosis, is rare in the United States.

The infection likely came from undercooked pork he consumed years earlier, according to medical experts who spoke about his case. NPR reported in 2025 that Kennedy described the parasite as “a brain worm” during the deposition, and that doctors found it after he experienced cognitive symptoms. (NPR)

The infection was treated successfully, but it left a permanent mark on his brain—a calcified lesion that showed up on scans. The BBC noted in 2024 that Kennedy has spoken about the experience as a cautionary tale about food safety. (BBC News)

The implication: while the worm itself is long gone, the episode remains a defining health story in RFK Jr.’s biography, one that underscores the real-world consequences of foodborne parasites.

What Condition Does RFK Jr. Have?

Beyond the brain worm, RFK Jr. has two notable health conditions that have become part of his public image. The first is spasmodic dysphonia, a rare neurological disorder that affects his voice. The second is atrial fibrillation, a heart condition.

Spasmodic dysphonia causes involuntary spasms in the vocal cords, leading to a strained, broken voice that sounds different from a typical hoarseness. NPR has reported that the condition affects roughly one in 100,000 people and that Kennedy’s case has been visible in his public speeches for years. (NPR)

Atrial fibrillation, which he has also discussed, is a common heart rhythm disorder that can increase the risk of stroke. Both conditions are separate from the brain worm infection, which means RFK Jr. carries a complex health profile for a public figure in his 70s.

Age: 71 (born January 17, 1954) ·
Height: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) ·
Spouse: Cheryl Hines (m. 2014) ·
Political party: Democratic (formerly), independent (currently) ·
Children: 6 (including Conor, Kathleen) ·
Notable for: Environmental activism, HHS Secretary, 2024 presidential candidate

The pattern: RFK Jr.’s health profile forces the public to separate three distinct medical episodes—a parasitic infection, a neurological voice disorder, and a heart condition—each with different causes and treatments.

Do RFK Jr.’s Kids Talk to Him?

RFK Jr. has six children from two marriages, and the family dynamics have been a subject of public interest. His daughter Kathleen Kennedy Townsend is a well-known political figure, while his son Conor made headlines for a brief romance with Taylor Swift in 2012.

Some reports suggest that relationships with older children have been strained. In 2025, PBS NewsHour reported that multiple Kennedy family members, including those who are professionals in public health, called for his resignation as HHS Secretary, calling him “a threat to Americans’ health.” (PBS NewsHour)

The exact extent of those tensions is not fully public, but the family’s public disagreements highlight a deeper conflict between RFK Jr.’s environmental and health activism and the views of some of his relatives.

The catch: without full transparency from the family, the public is left to interpret these disagreements through limited media reports and public statements.

Did Taylor Swift Date RFK’s Son?

In 2012, Taylor Swift and Conor Kennedy, RFK Jr.’s son from his first marriage, were briefly seen together. Conor was 17 at the time, and the relationship made headlines before ending after a few months.

Wikipedia notes that Conor is the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy, and that the romance was a short-lived chapter in both Swift’s and Conor’s stories. (Wikipedia)

What this means: while the relationship was certainly a media curiosity, it says more about the Kennedy family’s enduring place in the public imagination than about any lasting connection between the two.

Related reading: **Rosemary Kennedy’s Disability, Lobotomy, and Legacy** · **What Is Cancer? Symptoms, Causes, Stages, and Types**

For a more detailed account of RFK Jr.’s health scandals, see detailed account of RFK Jr.s health scandals.

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