Massachusetts Sen. Edward “Ted” Kennedy dead at 77

Massachusetts Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy, died Wednesday night at his home in Hyannis Port at the age of 77, family members confirmed.

In a statement released by his family it read: “We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever. We thank everyone who gave him care and support over the last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice.”

Kennedy, who ran for President in 1980, was the youngest of nine children of Joseph and Rose Kennedy, a prominent Irish American family.

On November 22, 1963 his brother, President John F. Kennedy was shot while Ted was presiding over the Senate, a task given to junior members, and in 1968, while his other brother, New York Senator Robert Kennedy was seeking a bit for the White House he was shot and killed.

Experts believed that “Uncle Teddy,” as he was called by family members, aspirations for the White House was killed when Mary Jo Kopechne drown in Chappaquiddick.

On July 18, 1969, after attending a party for women who had worked on Robert’s presidential campaign, Kennedy was involved in a car wreck on Chappaquiddick island.

While driving over a narrow bridge, he drove his car off the road and while he managed to escape the wreckage, his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne drowned.

On May 17, 2008, Kennedy suffered a seizure at his home on Cape Cod and on his way to Cape Cod Hospital, he suffered another seizure and he was rushed by helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

On May 20, 2008, doctors announced he had a malignant glioma, a type of cancerous brain tumor.

On June 2, 2008, he underwent brain surgery at Duke University Medical Center.

During the 2008 Democratic nomination battle between Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama, Kennedy remained neutral until January 28, 2008 when he endorsed Senator Obama despite appeals by both Hillary and former President Bill Clinton.

On September 26, 2008, he suffered a mild seizure while at his home in Hyannis Port, which doctors believed was caused by a change in his medication.

Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy, dead at the age of 77.