Photos: Ethel Kennedy through the years

Ethel Kennedy, wife of Robert F. Kennedy, mother of 11 children and social activist, has died at the age of 96.

She spent more than half of her long life in the public spotlight as a devoted wife, mother and outstanding social activist, raising awareness of and funding causes such as human rights, poverty and gun control. The public also watched as she endured the crushing grief of too many deaths at too young an age: from the assassinations of Robert F. and John F. Kennedy to the accidental deaths of her parents and brother; and the children, nephews and grandchildren who died before their time.

Here are photos from her 70+ years in the spotlight.