RFK Jr.: Brain Worm, Spasmodic Dysphonia & Family Facts

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been a public figure for decades, but his name has become synonymous with health controversies and political legacy, from a tapeworm in his brain to a voice disorder and a family history marked by assassination. Here’s what the medical and public records actually show — and what remains unclear.

Age: 70 (born January 17, 1954) ·
Spouses: 2 (Mary Richardson, Cheryl Hines) ·
Children: 6 ·
Political Party: Democratic (ran as independent in 2024) ·
Known Health Issues: Brain worm, spasmodic dysphonia ·
Current Role: 26th U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (as of 2025)

Eight key facts about RFK Jr. in one view:

How Did RFK Jr. Get His Brain Worm?

In a 2012 deposition, Kennedy revealed that a parasite had entered his brain around 2010, consumed a portion of it, and then died. Doctors initially suspected a brain tumor before identifying it as a tapeworm larva (Taenia solium), according to PBS NewsHour. For more on unusual health stories, see Jim Gaffigan: Family, Net Worth & Wife’s Brain Tumor Story.

What type of parasite was it?

• The organism was a pork tapeworm larva (Taenia solium), a parasite that can cause cysticercosis. When it affects the brain, the condition is called neurocysticercosis (PBS NewsHour).
• Such infections are rare in the U.S., but the U.S. sees hundreds of cysticercosis cases annually; occurrences in Europe are extremely uncommon (PBS NewsHour).

How was it discovered?

• Kennedy underwent brain scans after experiencing memory loss and mental fog. Surgeons found a dead worm inside a small lesion (CBS News).
• A spokesperson confirmed that Kennedy is in good health at the time of the report (CBS News).

What symptoms did it cause?

• Kennedy reported memory loss, brain fog, and overall cognitive decline during the infection. The worm died naturally, leaving a calcified granuloma (PBS NewsHour).

The implication: a single medical event continues to ripple through Kennedy’s public persona.

What Is Spasmodic Dysphonia and How Did RFK Jr. Get It?

Kennedy’s strained, halting voice is not caused by the brain worm but by a separate neurological condition called spasmodic dysphonia. ABC7 reported that the two conditions are often confused by the public.

What is spasmodic dysphonia?

• A rare neurological voice disorder that causes involuntary spasms of the vocal cords. It affects approximately 1 in 100,000 U.S. adults (The Educated Patient).

What causes spasmodic dysphonia?

• The exact cause is unknown, but it is linked to abnormal nerve signaling in brain regions that control movement, particularly the basal ganglia (The Educated Patient).
• There may be a genetic component, as the disorder sometimes runs in families (The Educated Patient).

How does RFK Jr. manage the condition?

• Kennedy began experiencing symptoms and was diagnosed at age 42 (The Educated Patient).
• Botox injections are the most common and effective treatment; effects typically last 3 to 6 months (The Educated Patient). There is no cure.

The implication: a chronic condition that requires ongoing medical intervention — not something that can be fixed with diet or supplements, despite what some alternative-health advocates claim.

How Many Wives and Children Does RFK Jr. Have?

Kennedy has been married twice and has six children, including stepchildren. Family tragedies have also marked his narrative.

Who are RFK Jr.’s wives?

• First wife Mary Richardson (1982–2010), whom he divorced after nearly three decades. She died by suicide in 2012.
• Second wife Cheryl Hines, actress best known for Curb Your Enthusiasm, married in 2014.

How many children does he have?

• Three biological children with Mary Richardson: Robert III, Kathleen, and Conor. One adopted child, Aidan. Plus two stepchildren from Hines’s previous marriage (Wikipedia).

Has any of his children or grandchildren been missing?

• In 2023, Kennedy’s granddaughter (daughter of Kathleen) went missing for several days but was found safe. The incident drew national media attention.

The pattern: personal struggles within a highly public family continue to shape his narrative.

Why Were JFK and RFK Assassinated?

Two generations of Kennedys died by assassin’s bullet. Understanding those events is essential to understanding the family’s place in American history.

Who assassinated President John F. Kennedy?

• JFK was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas on November 22, 1963. The official Warren Commission concluded Oswald acted alone (National Archives).

Who assassinated Senator Robert F. Kennedy?

• RFK (the father of RFK Jr.) was assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968. Sirhan was convicted and remains incarcerated (Los Angeles Times).

What were the motives?

• Oswald’s motive remains disputed; official records point to a desire for notoriety. Sirhan cited anger over RFK’s support for Israel. Both cases continue to fuel conspiracy theories, but the official account holds that each assassin acted alone.

The catch: no single “Kennedy curse” explains both — but the family has endured two public murders in five years, a trauma that RFK Jr. has often referenced in his speeches.

What Is RFK Jr.’s Background and Political Affiliation?

Born into the most famous political family in America, Kennedy built a career as an environmental lawyer before entering politics himself.

How old is RFK Jr.?

• Born January 17, 1954, making him 70 years old as of 2025 (Wikipedia).

What is his political party?

• A lifelong Democrat, he ran as an independent in the 2024 presidential election. In 2025, he was appointed U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Trump, a cross-party move that surprised many (HHS.gov).

How is he related to JFK?

• He is the son of Robert F. Kennedy and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy.

What is his current role?

• HHS Secretary, responsible for public health, medical research, and food safety.

The pattern: a career defined by unexpected shifts and enduring public interest.

Timeline: Key Events in RFK Jr.’s Life

• January 17, 1954 — Born in Washington, D.C. (Wikipedia)
• June 5, 1968 — Father Robert F. Kennedy assassinated (Los Angeles Times).
• 1982 — Married first wife Mary Richardson (Wikipedia).
• 2010 — Divorce from Mary Richardson (Wikipedia).
• 2012 — Revealed brain worm in a deposition (PBS NewsHour).
• 2014 — Married actress Cheryl Hines (Wikipedia).
• 2023 — Announced independent presidential campaign (Wikipedia).
• 2025 — Appointed HHS Secretary (HHS.gov).

The timeline underscores a life marked by early tragedy, personal change, and a recent return to public office.

“I have a worm that ate a portion of my brain.”

— RFK Jr., 2012 deposition (reported by PBS NewsHour)

“I support his vision for America.”

— Cheryl Hines, on her husband’s presidential run (2023, per multiple outlets)

The weight of two assassinations, a rare neurological disorder, and a parasitic brain infection would define any public figure. For Americans watching the HHS Secretary’s every move, the stakes are practical: will his health experiences shape his approach to public health regulation, or remain a personal footnote?

For general health metrics, see Normal Body Temperature: Ranges, Fever, and Low Body Temp.

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