WASHINGTON — Joan Kennedy, the former wife of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, has died. She was 89.

Steve Kerrigan, chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, confirmed the news of Kennedy's death in a local obituary. The 89-year-old died peacefully in her sleep at her Boston home on Wednesday, according to the obituary.

The former Joan Bennett was married to the youngest Kennedy son from 1958 to 1982. The two endured a long and troubled marriage marked by family tragedies, her husband's extramarital affairs and her own struggles with mental health and addiction.

Joan had three children with Kennedy: Kara, Ted. Jr. and Patrick. Kara died in 2011 from a heart attack.

"I will always admire my mother for the way that she faced up to her challenges with grace, courage, humility, and hon

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