Kennedy's Wealth and Influence

John F. Kennedy was born into a wealthy and politically connected family, which provided him with significant advantages in his political career. His father, Joseph P. Kennedy, built their fortune through aggressive business practices that included stock market speculation, involvement in the film industry, and rumored bootlegging during Prohibition. This wealth not only secured Kennedy's financial independence but also allowed him to self-finance his political campaigns, circumventing traditional pathways to power. As a result, JFK was able to ascend rapidly within American politics, becoming a young senator and president through connections and family influence rather than a typical political career track.