Woman Writes About Her Time as
Personal Assistant, Confidant to JFK Jr.
By SANDRA RHODES
John Kennedy Jr. has been described in many ways. Privileged. Handsome. Son of Camelot.
But RoseMarie Terenzio did not skip a beat when describing her former boss.
"Smart," she said. "People overlooked how very smart and thoughtful he was."
Terenzio's insight into JFK Jr. is something no one else can offer. For the last five years of his life, she was his personal assistant, publicist and confidante.
Terenzio, author of "Fairy Tale Interrupted," will talk about her experiences with JFK Jr. Friday at St. Marys Public Library. The event will start with refreshments from 7 to 7:30 p.m.; author question-and-answer period from 7:30 to 8 p.m., at which time Terenzio will be available to sign books. Books will be available for purchase.
The event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the library and St. Marys author John Schlimm.
Terenzio envisions the event as a "great conversation" led by questions from the audience.
"We are honored that Ms. Terenzio is taking the time to visit our library. It is a thrill to give our patrons a chance to meet a best-selling author and listen first-hand about the experiences that put this book together," said Scarlette Corbin, library director. "I can't express how grateful we are to be able to offer a program of this caliber."
Terenzio spent five years with Kennedy and learned much about and from a man people knew so little about.
Terenzio explained that Kennedy knew he grew up in a unique situation. He understood people were drawn to him, regardless of the reason and when he walked into a room, all eyes would be on him.
"There was a sense of ownership with John. The world owned him."
That ownership extended to who he chose as his bride, which turned out to be Carolyn Bessette, a woman Terenzio refers to as her "fairy godmother."
“She was really warm, generous and gregarious. She was a girl's girl. She was inclusive. There was no jealousy."
With Kennedy, Terenzio learned that things changed, nothing is forever.
"That is not necessarily a bad thing. This has made me more thoughtful, patient. To wait and see a situation play out before making a judgment."
If Kennedy were alive today Terenzio believes he could've run for office, but back in 1999, his priority was this magazine "George." He wanted to make it a success.
And for Terenzio? Regardless of where he was, "I hope I would be there as well."
Terenzio's favorite memory of Kennedy is dancing with them at the last Christmas party at George.
"It was a very touching moment. I felt like I was important to him."
Now, it is almost 13 years later and Terenzio, the head of her own public relations firm, is alone to tell the story.
The book's success, including being on the New York Times bestseller list for five weeks, was a surprise for Terenzio.
"I was absolutely flabbergasted. I thought initially some people would be interested. I hoped some people would be interested. I did not see myself as newsworthy."
Terenzio, who grew up in the Bronx, decided to write the book at the urging of her agent, Steve Troha from St. Marys. In fact, she wrote the last chapter of the book at his St. Marys home.
"He had a different idea of what I should write. My story, not the JFK Jr. story."
And if people think that this is a tell-all book about Kennedy, it is not. Even the title is self-reflective on her life before, during and after her time with Kennedy.
"The story is mine."
John Kennedy Jr. has been described in many ways. Privileged. Handsome. Son of Camelot.
But RoseMarie Terenzio did not skip a beat when describing her former boss.
"Smart," she said. "People overlooked how very smart and thoughtful he was."
Terenzio's insight into JFK Jr. is something no one else can offer. For the last five years of his life, she was his personal assistant, publicist and confidante.Terenzio, author of "Fairy Tale Interrupted," will talk about her experiences with JFK Jr. Friday at St. Marys Public Library. The event will start with refreshments from 7 to 7:30 p.m.; author question-and-answer period from 7:30 to 8 p.m., at which time Terenzio will be available to sign books. Books will be available for purchase.
The event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the library and St. Marys author John Schlimm.
Terenzio envisions the event as a "great conversation" led by questions from the audience.
"We are honored that Ms. Terenzio is taking the time to visit our library. It is a thrill to give our patrons a chance to meet a best-selling author and listen first-hand about the experiences that put this book together," said Scarlette Corbin, library director. "I can't express how grateful we are to be able to offer a program of this caliber."
Terenzio spent five years with Kennedy and learned much about and from a man people knew so little about.
Terenzio explained that Kennedy knew he grew up in a unique situation. He understood people were drawn to him, regardless of the reason and when he walked into a room, all eyes would be on him.
"There was a sense of ownership with John. The world owned him."
That ownership extended to who he chose as his bride, which turned out to be Carolyn Bessette, a woman Terenzio refers to as her "fairy godmother."
“She was really warm, generous and gregarious. She was a girl's girl. She was inclusive. There was no jealousy."
With Kennedy, Terenzio learned that things changed, nothing is forever.
"That is not necessarily a bad thing. This has made me more thoughtful, patient. To wait and see a situation play out before making a judgment."
If Kennedy were alive today Terenzio believes he could've run for office, but back in 1999, his priority was this magazine "George." He wanted to make it a success.
And for Terenzio? Regardless of where he was, "I hope I would be there as well."
Terenzio's favorite memory of Kennedy is dancing with them at the last Christmas party at George.
"It was a very touching moment. I felt like I was important to him."
Now, it is almost 13 years later and Terenzio, the head of her own public relations firm, is alone to tell the story.
The book's success, including being on the New York Times bestseller list for five weeks, was a surprise for Terenzio.
"I was absolutely flabbergasted. I thought initially some people would be interested. I hoped some people would be interested. I did not see myself as newsworthy."
Terenzio, who grew up in the Bronx, decided to write the book at the urging of her agent, Steve Troha from St. Marys. In fact, she wrote the last chapter of the book at his St. Marys home.
"He had a different idea of what I should write. My story, not the JFK Jr. story."
And if people think that this is a tell-all book about Kennedy, it is not. Even the title is self-reflective on her life before, during and after her time with Kennedy.
"The story is mine."
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