Howard Stern Shares Cryptic Memories of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette
Radio icon Howard Stern has opened up about his personal interactions with the late John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, offering a rare glimpse into their private lives while maintaining a veil of discretion. Speaking on his popular radio programme, Stern reflected on memories stirred by the FX series Love Story: John F. Kennedy & Carolyn Bessette, which concludes this week.
Private Conversations and Public Silence
Stern confirmed he had multiple conversations with Carolyn Bessette before her tragic death in 1999, describing her as "very lovely" and "a really nice woman." He emphasised that their discussions went beyond casual exchanges, yet he deliberately avoided revealing how their friendship began. "I know enough to keep my mouth shut about that," Stern stated cryptically. "Some stuff you do have to keep private... But she was very nice to me, very open and talkative. She didn't give me the nose-up-in-the-air kind of thing."
The shock jock host insisted he has no sensational gossip to share, underscoring his respect for the couple's privacy even decades after their passing.
Cover Star for JFK Jr.'s Magazine
Stern also recalled his experience as the cover star for George magazine, the political monthly publication launched by John F. Kennedy Jr. in 1995. He appeared on the April/May 1996 issue in a parody of George Washington's cherry tree story, with the cover line asking: "What's so good about virtue?"
Looking back, Stern humorously criticised the photoshoot, calling it "one of the worst covers I ever did." He described being convinced to chop down a cherry tree with a chainsaw while dressed in colonial garb. "I guess I was supposed to be George Washington, but George Washington didn't wear this s*** I was wearing," he joked. "I looked like Paul Revere in drag."
Despite his misgivings, Stern participated because Kennedy was "a super nice guy" who personally attended the shoot. He remembered Kennedy and photographer Patrik Andersson offering enthusiastic reassurance: "They go, 'Gorgeous, you look great. This is the greatest cover.'" In hindsight, Stern quipped that he resembled "Captain Hook or something."
Cultural Impact of the FX Series
The revelations come as Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette concludes its run, having broken streaming records for FX. The series has become the network's most-watched limited series ever on Disney+ and Hulu, depicting the whirlwind romance and high-profile relationship between the political heir and his publicist wife.
According to internal viewership data from Disney, the first five episodes alone accumulated more than 25 million hours of watch time, highlighting enduring public fascination with the couple's story. Stern's reflections add a personal dimension to this cultural phenomenon, bridging the gap between media portrayal and real-life encounters.
Through his candid yet guarded remarks, Stern preserves the mystique surrounding JFK Jr. and Bessette while acknowledging their humanity beyond the tabloid headlines.
