Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, or CBK as she was often known, was a figure who captured the imagination of many, especially those who grew up immersed in the world of fashion magazines like Vogue and Vanity Fair. During the mid-to-late 90s, she embodied a certain ideal of "cool." While much has been said about her iconic style, often described as minimalist and chic, less is known about her lifestyle, including her diet and exercise habits.
The Mystique of CBK: More Than Just Clothes
CBK's public persona remains a fascinating subject of analysis. While many articles focus on how to "dress like CBK," they often miss the point. Her allure wasn't solely about the clothes themselves; it was about the aura she projected. Clothes did not make CBK interesting; she made the clothes interesting.
She entered the public sphere before the age of social media, when celebrities were more written about than directly accessible. This silence allowed people to project their own narratives onto her. Whether she was a willing participant in this process is unknown. She appeared to dislike the media's obsession with her, but the truth remains elusive.
Who Was Carolyn Bessette Kennedy?
Beyond the image of a style icon, those who knew Carolyn describe her as warm, kind, and nurturing. She loved to laugh and had a great sense of fun. She was compassionate, generous, and witty. Many of her friends felt sad that she was primarily remembered as a style icon, not for her inner qualities.
Born in White Plains, New York, she later moved to Greenwich, Connecticut, after her parents' divorce. In high school, she was voted "Ultimate Beautiful Person" and studied elementary education at Boston University. She briefly pursued a modeling career and appeared as a cover girl for "The Girls of BU" calendar.
Read also: Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy: Beyond the Image
At Calvin Klein, she rose through the ranks to become the brand's director of publicity. She met John F. Kennedy Jr. in the early 1990s, dated him briefly, and later reconciled. According to friends, she wasn't overly impressed with his fame and didn't try too hard to win him over, which ultimately won him over. She was a caretaker, but she also stood up to him when he was wrong.
Those who knew her said she made people feel like they were the only person in the room and that photos didn't do her beauty justice. She had a distinct laugh and lit up a room. She was always thinking of others and went out of her way to be kind and make people feel comfortable. She had charisma and was mesmerizing, captivating, magnetic, and dynamic. She was a big reader, loved astrology, and wanted to get a master's degree in psychology.
Decoding CBK's Diet and Exercise: What We Know
Information regarding Carolyn's specific diet and exercise routine is scarce, pieced together from anecdotes and observations.
- Walking in New York: Living in New York City, she likely walked extensively, which would have contributed to her overall fitness.
- Favorite Foods: She loved mashed potatoes and scooped-out bagels loaded with tomatoes.
- Weight Loss: According to one source, to kill her appetite, she dropped 15 pounds with the help of cigarettes and cocaine.
It's important to note that the last point raises concerns about potential substance abuse issues. As Callahan writes, Carolyn was riddled with insecurity, reportedly confessing to to feeling 'jolie-laide' (ugly-pretty), and when she started dating JFK Jr, in 1994, 'she turned toward her psychical reinvention'.'She was only 28 years old but [she] took to erasing her small facial lines with Botox. She plucked her lush, thick eyebrows into wisps, bleached and ironed her hair, and dropped 15 pounds with the help of cigarettes and cocaine [to kill her appetite],' Callahan writes. As a result, Carolyn began taking 'anti-depressants on top of the cocaine'.
However, it's crucial to approach this information with caution, as it comes from a single source and may not represent the complete picture. Other sources suggest she wasn't a big exerciser.
Read also: Weight Loss via Leptin Gene Therapy
Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's Enduring Legacy
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's influence extends far beyond her personal style. She redefined "effortless" chic, demonstrating that true style lies in the details and in the confidence with which one carries themselves. She understood that minimalism isn't about owning less, but about owning better.
Her style was built around a foundation of mix-and-match pieces that worked seamlessly together. She had a knack for finding unique treasures in thrift and vintage stores. She often bought the same thing in different colors, from shoes to individual pieces, indicating an exacting and almost frugal approach to her purchases.
Her generosity and thoughtfulness were evident in her attentiveness to others, her talent for finding the perfect gift, and her willingness to support her friends and family. She was protective of John and served as a big sister to many.
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL