Kitty Dukakis, the esteemed wife of former Massachusetts Governor and US presidential candidate Michael Dukakis, passed away on Friday night at the age of 88. As the former First Lady of Massachusetts, she was widely respected for her advocacy work and public service. Her passing marks the loss of a beloved figure known for her dedication to social causes and her enduring support for her husband’s political career.
Her son, John Dukakis, confirmed the news, stating that she died during the night. Details regarding her funeral and burial have not yet been announced.
Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1936, Kitty Dukakis (née Dixon) was the daughter of conductor Harry Ellis Dixon. She married Michael Dukakis in 1963, and together they formed a devoted and distinctive couple. Kitty, who was Jewish and deeply emotional, contrasted with her husband, a member of the Greek Orthodox Church, who was known for his calm and reserved nature. Their strong bond helped them navigate difficult times.
When Governor Dukakis became the Democratic nominee for president in 1988, Kitty emerged as a dynamic and enthusiastic speaker throughout his campaign. She encouraged her husband to take a more aggressive stance after George Bush’s campaign painted him as excessively liberal.
Following the election loss, Michael Dukakis completed his second term as governor before retiring from politics.
Kitty Dukakis reveals long battle with addiction
During the campaign, Kitty Dukakis publicly revealed her past addiction to diet pills. Her long battle with depression later led to struggles with alcoholism. She later admitted that, in hindsight, it was for the best that her husband did not win the presidency, as the pressures of the role might have pushed her beyond her limits.
She authored two books in which she candidly discussed her experiences with addiction and mental health. In her memoir Now You Know, she recounted being hospitalized in 1989 after consuming pure alcohol. Years later, she wrote about how electroconvulsive therapy played a crucial role in her recovery from depression.
Despite her challenges, Kitty Dukakis made meaningful contributions to society. She served on the board of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and was a passionate advocate for immigrant and refugee rights.
In 2007, the Kitty Dukakis Treatment Center for Women was established in Boston in recognition of her efforts to support women in need.
Her husband Michael is of Greek American. His parents, Panos Dukakis and Euterpe Boukis Dukakis, were both Greek immigrants to the United States. His father was originally from Larisa, Greece, and his mother was born in Ayios Konstantinos, Greece, before emigrating to the US as a child.
Dukakis has always been proud of his Greek heritage and has maintained close ties with the Greek-American community throughout his life and political career.