Kennedy's Biographer Claims Cabinet Concerns Kept Marriage Together

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. remained in his marriage to actress Cheryl Hines partly because a second divorce would have jeopardized his position as Secretary of Health and Human Services, according to biographer Isabel Vincent. Vincent, who wrote the biography "RFK Jr.: The Fall and Rise," alleged that Kennedy felt pressure to preserve the relationship following a 2024 digital affair scandal involving reporter Olivia Nuzzi.

Vincent told PEOPLE magazine that the Nuzzi scandal created severe strain on Kennedy's marriage, contrary to public perception at the time. "Everything was not okay. That was a really bad time," Vincent said, noting that reports suggesting Hines was in Europe and the situation was resolved were misleading.

The biographer claimed Kennedy made deliberate efforts to reconcile with Hines because he believed a second divorce filing would undermine his standing in President Trump's cabinet. Kennedy previously divorced Emily Black in 1994 after 12 years of marriage. "He felt he couldn't be in the presidential Cabinet and have another divorce," Vincent alleged to PEOPLE. "Maybe because he felt that a lot of his supporters were more traditional about marriage so he did not want to have another divorce."

Vincent also suggested the marriage remains unstable. "From what I understood, they're somewhat together, but they're not always together," she claimed. "She's not accompanying him on every single thing he's doing." Hines addressed the Nuzzi rumors publicly in October 2025 on the Kate Miller Podcast, describing the period as chaotic but characterizing it as less important than a concurrent family loss—the death of her nephew.

Context

The alleged digital affair between Kennedy and Nuzzi emerged in 2025 while Kennedy was campaigning for president in 2024. Kennedy's personal life has drawn repeated scrutiny; his biography also includes allegations that he was emotionally cruel to his late wife Mary regarding her appearance. The cabinet position itself represents a significant political appointment, as the Secretary of Health and Human Services oversees federal health policy and major agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Hines' public response to the Nuzzi rumors was notably measured. She did not confirm or deny details of the alleged affair, instead framing the situation as one distraction among many during a difficult period. Her statement suggested she viewed the scandal as secondary to genuine family hardship.

What's Next

The publication of Vincent's biography introduces new details about Kennedy's personal calculations regarding his political viability, potentially inviting further scrutiny of his decision-making during the 2024 campaign and transition period. Vincent's claim that the marriage remains unequal in stability—with Hines not consistently accompanying Kennedy—suggests the underlying tensions remain unresolved despite Kennedy's efforts to preserve the relationship for professional reasons.