Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s wife, actress Cheryl Hines, has opened up about her high-profile marriage, including a revelation about separating during his short stint running for president last year.
The ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ star revealed in her new memoir, ‘Unscripted’, that RFK, Jr. suggested they pretend to be separated to ease public scrutiny.
“In my book, ‘Unscripted,’ I talk about this because things got … dramatic during this presidential campaign,” Hines said, referencing her new memoir in an interview with Fox News.
“Some people were very upset that I was even married to Bobby. They were vocally coming at me because I’m married to Bobby. So Bobby felt like, ‘You shouldn’t be having to take that heat. So why don’t we just say we’re separated?’”
Hines admitted that the suggestion came from a good place, but ultimately believed it wouldn’t have helpd.
“It was a very sweet notion, but yeah, I didn’t think that was helpful,” said Hines.
“What needed to happen — and what did happen — is we got closer together. I understood the sentiment behind it, but this is why I think the book is so interesting: you’re in these unique situations that nobody else can imagine.”
“For a couple to say, ‘Maybe we should just say we’re not with each other anymore and our lives would be easier’ — it’s like, well, things have gotten to that point. That’s pretty dramatic and pretty extreme,” Hines added.
“And that’s one of the reasons why I wanted to write the book … experiences that are very once in a lifetime.”
Hines has stood by Kennedy through the highs and lows of his political and personal life, including through a shocking sexting scandal with political journalist Olivia Nuzzi.
However, Hines admitted that the biggest challenge was sharing the intense scrutiny and safety fears that came with his then-presidential run saying that she lived in constant fear for her husband’s safety, given the tragic history of the Kennedy family.
“I was very fearful for his safety,” Hines said.
“As most people know, his uncle, John Kennedy, was assassinated. His father, Robert Kennedy, was assassinated while he was running for president. So when Bobby ran for president, it was very stressful. For good reason. I mean, I saw somebody breaking into our house — watching him walk into the backyard — and I see the security guy coming at him with his weapon out. It’s 10:00 in the morning.”
During is campaign, Hines said that Kennedy’s repeated requests for Secret Service protection were denied, adding that it only heightened their anxiety.
“At the time, Bobby kept requesting Secret Service and kept getting denied. So it was a very stressful time,” she said.
Hines, 60, is best known for playing Larry David’s on-screen wife in HBO’s hit comedy, “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Hines has been married to Kennedy since 2014.
Before her marriage to Kennedy, Hines was married to producer Paul Young. The two share one daughter, Catherine, born in 2004.
“Unscripted,” also dives into her life before Hollywood, including her advocacy work for United Cerebral Palsy (inspired by her late nephew), and the challenges of navigating a blended family in the Kennedy spotlight.
Hines said the goal of her new book is simple: “to have fun.”
“Life isn’t perfect, you know? Things happen — you don’t get to choose when they happen. I lost my nephew during the presidential campaign, during Bobby’s presidential campaign,” Hines said.
“So it was a dramatic time. When you read it, you’ll see everybody has challenges. You don’t get to pick when they come, but you can move through them — it’s not easy, but that’s OK.”
“Unscripted” is set to be released in early November.