{"id":2316341,"date":"2026-03-06T22:11:58","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T22:11:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2316341"},"modified":"2026-03-06T22:11:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T22:11:58","slug":"the-true-story-of-why-carolyn-bessette-quit-calvin-klein-and-how-her-relationship-with-jfk-jr-factored-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/the-true-story-of-why-carolyn-bessette-quit-calvin-klein-and-how-her-relationship-with-jfk-jr-factored-in\/","title":{"rendered":"The true story of why Carolyn Bessette quit Calvin Klein \u2014 and how her relationship with JFK Jr. factored in"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<h3 class=\"mb-4 text-lg font-bold\">Key Points<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Carolyn Bessette was working for Calvin Klein when she met John F. Kennedy Jr.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">She resigned in 1996, partly because of media and paparazzi attention.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Afterward, she focused on charity work and accompanied JFK Jr. to various events before their deaths in 1999.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/american-love-story-first-look-jfk-jr-carolyn-bessette-ryan-murphy-limited-series-11754646\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Carolyn Bessette;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Carolyn Bessette<\/a> was working her way up at Calvin Klein when she caught the eye of John F. Kennedy Jr., one of the most sought-after bachelors in America.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">FX&#8217;s <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/see-the-love-story-cast-and-the-real-life-people-they-play-11901859\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. &amp; Carolyn Bessette;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. &amp; Carolyn Bessette<\/em><\/a> centers on the couple&#8217;s intense relationship, but it also takes a closer look at Bessette&#8217;s time at Calvin Klein. There, she worked with A-list clients like Annette Bening and even played a role in launching Kate Moss&#8217;s modeling career.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Despite her success, Bessette eventually walked away from it all, surprising Calvin Klein himself. So, why did she quit? Here&#8217;s what we know about what really happened.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">How did Carolyn Bessette start working for Calvin Klein?<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><i>Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn Bessette on &#8216;Love Story&#8217;<br \/>Credit: FX<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">After graduating from Boston University in 1988, Bessette stuck around the city to work as a saleswoman at a Calvin Klein store and moonlight as a marketer for nightclubs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In the 2019 book <em>America&#8217;s Reluctant Prince: The Life of John F. Kennedy Jr.<\/em>, historian Steven M. Gillon writes that Bessette&#8217;s big break came when Susan Sokol, then-president of Calvin Klein&#8217;s Women&#8217;s Collection, noticed her during a visit to the store. Sokol was reportedly &#8220;impressed&#8221; by Bessette&#8217;s style and presence and offered her a position in New York working with celebrity clients.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;She wasn&#8217;t intimated,&#8221; Sokol told Gillon. &#8220;She had a wonderful ease about her. She was comfortable with anyone, and she had a lot of self-confidence, aside from looking great.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">That new role was a perfect fit for Bessette. George Kyriakos, a hairstylist and friend, shared in Liz McNeil and RoseMarie Terenzio&#8217;s 2024 book<em> JFK Jr.: An Intimate Oral Biography<\/em> that Bessette &#8220;was a grunt&#8221; at work. &#8220;It wasn&#8217;t like she was a princess. She used to work her ass off,&#8221; he recalled.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">This new job also set the stage for Bessette to meet <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/what-happened-to-jfk-jr-love-story-ryan-murphy-11903633\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:JFK Jr.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">JFK Jr.<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Why did Carolyn Bessette quit Calvin Klein?<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn Bessette and Alessandro Nivola as Calvin Klein on 'Love Story'Credit: FX\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/Po30AnjpMU9sSa.sPew0RQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/entertainment_weekly_785\/183214637239cc47d149e70fe8e8daf9\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><i>Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn Bessette and Alessandro Nivola as Calvin Klein on &#8216;Love Story&#8217;<br \/>Credit: FX<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Bessette left Calvin Klein in the spring of 1996 amid the storm of fame and notoriety that came with dating (and eventually marrying) JFK Jr. She was overwhelmed not only by the paparazzi, but also by the constant travel and the stress of planning a wedding.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In <em>JFK Jr.: An Intimate Oral Biography, <\/em>multiple sources describe how &#8220;horribly&#8221; Bessette was treated by the paparazzi. Terenzio claimed some would try to bait her with insults and insensitive questions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Elizabeth Beller writes in <em>Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, <\/em>the 2024 book that inspired <em>Love Story<\/em>, that Bessette left Calvin Klein a few weeks after the couple&#8217;s <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/what-love-story-gets-wrong-jfk-jr-carolyn-bessette-11918317\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:well-publicized fight in a public park;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">well-publicized fight in a public park<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Alessandro Nivola as Calvin Klein on 'Love Story'Credit: FX\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/qFKzc6pqrNULLsWaHScF.w--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/entertainment_weekly_785\/24ed6ce7c2c93321a49ef96ef47e0745\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><i>Alessandro Nivola as Calvin Klein on &#8216;Love Story&#8217;<br \/>Credit: FX<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Beller describes how the paparazzi made it &#8220;impossible&#8221; for Bessette to even walk into the office. &#8220;With the chaos of the press tracking her every move, perhaps even taking attention away from the brand, it no longer made sense to stay on,&#8221; she wrote.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Bessette&#8217;s roommate, Colleen Curtis, explained how difficult the decision was. &#8220;What people don&#8217;t realize is how central work was to Carolyn,&#8221; Curtis told Beller. &#8220;She always worked. Always, always, always.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A colleague of Bessette&#8217;s from Calvin Klein claimed that Klein himself was &#8220;very upset&#8221; with her resignation, adding that the fashion icon &#8220;felt left behind.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">What did Carolyn Bessette do after leaving Calvin Klein?<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn Bessette and Alessandro Nivola as Calvin Klein, and Leila George as Kelly Klein on 'Love Story'Credit: FX\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/p5S.08EkJOc6t_n7Rbas8w--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/entertainment_weekly_785\/aa0113a66563e2a94ec74fb38f0004d5\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><i>Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn Bessette and Alessandro Nivola as Calvin Klein, and Leila George as Kelly Klein on &#8216;Love Story&#8217;<br \/>Credit: FX<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">After leaving Calvin Klein, Bessette reportedly started exploring other career paths. In <em>Once Upon a Time, <\/em>Curtis recalled her former roommate discussing using the PR skills she learned in the fashion industry to do something more impactful, like fundraising for nonprofits.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/carole-radziwill-returns-to-rhony-reboot-years-after-dramatic-exit-11917839\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Carole Radziwill;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Carole Radziwill<\/a>, a friend of Bessette&#8217;s, said Bessette had &#8220;outgrown her position at Calvin Klein&#8221; and was brainstorming ways &#8220;she could make a difference in the world.&#8221; She even considered going back to school to study psychology, possibly wanting to use her natural ability to connect with people and help them work through their issues.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">As noted in <em>Once Upon a Time<\/em>, Bessette &#8220;wanted and <em>needed <\/em>to work.&#8221; But, according to Terenzio, Bessette &#8220;couldn&#8217;t go near fashion&#8221; because of JFK Jr.&#8217;s work on his politics and pop culture magazine, <em>George<\/em>. She did some charity work, but &#8220;officially putting her name to any of the many nonprofits that approached her had to wait&#8221; due to the possibility that JFK Jr. could run for office.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;Given that their public life was primed to become even more public if John held office, Carolyn wanted to be cautious,&#8221; reads <em>Once Upon a Time<\/em>, &#8220;not least because every move she made was being picked apart.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">On top of that, there was growing pressure for Bessette to start a family with JFK Jr., which made any decision about her career even more complicated.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Where can I watch <em>Love Story<\/em>?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Love Story <\/em>airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on FX,\u00a0with new episodes available to <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hulu.com\/series\/love-story-john-f-kennedy-jr-carolyn-bessette-ea95614f-f1ed-468f-83fd-19adc6bd1f2d\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:stream the following day on Hulu;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">stream the following day on Hulu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong><em>Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/ew-dispatch-newsletter-11812417\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:EW Dispatch newsletter;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">EW Dispatch newsletter<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Read the original article on <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/why-did-carolyn-bessette-quit-calvin-klein-11919373\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Entertainment Weekly;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Entertainment Weekly<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Points Carolyn Bessette was working for Calvin Klein when she met John F. Kennedy Jr. She resigned in 1996, partly because of media and paparazzi attention. Afterward, she focused on charity work and accompanied JFK Jr. to various events before their deaths in 1999. Carolyn Bessette was working her way up at Calvin Klein [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2316342,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25177],"tags":[369359,353552,340541,448783,448784],"class_list":["post-2316341","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrities","tag-calvin-klein","tag-carolyn-bessette","tag-john-f-kennedy-jr","tag-rosemarie-terenzio","tag-steven-m-gillon"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/The-true-story-of-why-Carolyn-Bessette-quit-Calvin-Klein.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2316341","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2316341"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2316341\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2316343,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2316341\/revisions\/2316343"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2316342"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2316341"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2316341"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2316341"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}