The recent premiere of FX’s limited series, Love Story, has renewed attention on the romantic history of John F. Kennedy Jr., specifically his nearly five-year relationship with actress Daryl Hannah prior to his marriage to Carolyn Bessette. The series, which began airing February 12, 2026, depicts the complexities of Kennedy’s relationship with Hannah, and how it overlapped with his initial encounters with Bessette.
Kennedy and Hannah reportedly first met in the early 1980s while their families vacationed in Saint Martin, introduced by Hannah’s stepfather, who was a donor to Kennedy’s uncle Ted’s presidential campaign, according to Steven M. Gillon’s biography, America’s Reluctant Prince: The Life of John F. Kennedy Jr. Their connection was rekindled in 1988 at the wedding of Kennedy’s aunt, Lee Radziwill, to director Herbert Ross, who had recently directed Hannah in Steel Magnolias.
The relationship that followed was described as non-exclusive and “on-and-off” for much of its duration. Despite its intermittent nature, the pairing attracted significant media attention, mirroring the scrutiny Kennedy would later face during his courtship and marriage to Bessette. Hannah, already a well-known actress following her roles in films like Blade Runner and Splash, brought a different level of public profile to Kennedy’s romantic life.
According to accounts within the series and reported in People magazine, Jackie Kennedy Onassis reportedly disapproved of Hannah, potentially due to a “tainted perception towards famous blonde actresses,” a reference seemingly alluding to Marilyn Monroe’s alleged affair with John F. Kennedy. Carole Radziwill, whose husband was JFK Jr.’s cousin, Anthony Radziwill, revealed in JFK Jr.: An Intimate Oral Biography that the pair “broke up for fine shortly after the funeral” of Jackie Kennedy Onassis in 1994.
The series suggests that Kennedy may have pursued a relationship with Bessette earlier had Hannah not re-entered his life following his mother’s death. However, the timeline of events indicates the situation was more nuanced. The indicate portrays Hannah appearing at Kennedy’s mother’s wake, further complicating the dynamic between the three individuals.
As of February 17, 2026, Daryl Hannah is married to musician Neil Young. She maintains a limited public profile, primarily through an Instagram account under the handle @dhlovelife.
