Kitty Dukakis, former first lady of Massachusetts, has died at age 88
She was the first lady of Massachusetts, the wife of *** presidential hopeful, activist, and mother of three, but Kitty Dukakis will be remembered most for her public and honest personal revelations. Born in Cambridge, Katherine Dixon was the daughter of the late famous Pops conductor Harry Ellis Dixon. Her marriage would take her to new heights. When Governor Dukakis won the Democratic nomination for president in 1988, she was an energetic public. It was incredibly exciting. It was just, I think one of those times in our lives that neither one of us will ever forget. She urged her husband to more aggressively fend off GOP attacks and said she was heartsick after her husband famously flubbed *** controversial debate question. If Kitty Dukakis were raped and murdered, would you favor an irrevocable death penalty for the killer? No, I don’t, Bernard, and I think you know that I’ve opposed the death penalty. I really, I really blew it. Mrs. Dukakis later said that it was best that her husband lost his presidential bid because *** crisis, she said, would have sent her out of control. She wrote tell all books about her. Addictions to alcohol and diet pills, her depression, and the shock therapy that saved her life. I don’t feel 100%, but I’m really feeling better. I’m really, there’s, there’s some hope at the end of all of this. Despite her inner battles, Mrs. Dukakis made valuable contributions, serving on the US Holocaust Memorial Council, advocating for immigrants, refugees, and women who shared her struggles.
Kitty Dukakis, former first lady of Massachusetts, has died at age 88
Updated: 1:00 PM EDT Mar 22, 2025
Kitty Dukakis, the former first lady of Massachusetts and wife of 1988 Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis, has died at age 88, her family confirmed.John Dukakis confirmed his mother died overnight. Katharine Dickson was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1936 and was the daughter of Pops conductor Harry Ellis Dickson. She married Michael Dukakis in 1963, forming an unusual pair: Kitty Dukakis was Jewish and emotional, while her Greek Orthodox husband was cool and reserved. Their strong bond helped them through difficult times.When Gov. Dukakis became the Democratic nominee for president in 1988, his wife was a poised and energetic public speaker on the campaign trail.Kitty Dukakis urged her husband to be more aggressive when the Bush campaign called him too liberal.After losing the race, Michael Dukakis finished his third term as governor and stepped down.During the campaign, Kitty Dukakis admitted she was once addicted to diet pills. A long battle against depression now steered her toward alcohol.Kitty Dukakis would later say it was for the best that her husband lost the presidential bid because a crisis would have sent her out of control. She wrote two books — tell-all tales about her addictions and depression. In her book “Now You Know,” she wrote about her hospitalization in 1989 after drinking rubbing alcohol. Years later, she wrote how electronic shock treatments saved her from depression.Despite her inner battles, Kitty Dukakis made valuable contributions. She served on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council and advocated for immigrants and refugees. In 2007, the Kitty Dukakis Treatment Center for Women was established in Boston in honor of her advocacy work.
BROOKLINE, Mass. —Kitty Dukakis, the former first lady of Massachusetts and wife of 1988 Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis, has died at age 88, her family confirmed.
John Dukakis confirmed his mother died overnight.
Katharine Dickson was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1936 and was the daughter of Pops conductor Harry Ellis Dickson. She married Michael Dukakis in 1963, forming an unusual pair: Kitty Dukakis was Jewish and emotional, while her Greek Orthodox husband was cool and reserved. Their strong bond helped them through difficult times.
When Gov. Dukakis became the Democratic nominee for president in 1988, his wife was a poised and energetic public speaker on the campaign trail.
Kitty Dukakis urged her husband to be more aggressive when the Bush campaign called him too liberal.
After losing the race, Michael Dukakis finished his third term as governor and stepped down.
During the campaign, Kitty Dukakis admitted she was once addicted to diet pills. A long battle against depression now steered her toward alcohol.
Kitty Dukakis would later say it was for the best that her husband lost the presidential bid because a crisis would have sent her out of control. She wrote two books — tell-all tales about her addictions and depression. In her book “Now You Know,” she wrote about her hospitalization in 1989 after drinking rubbing alcohol. Years later, she wrote how electronic shock treatments saved her from depression.
Despite her inner battles, Kitty Dukakis made valuable contributions. She served on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council and advocated for immigrants and refugees. In 2007, the Kitty Dukakis Treatment Center for Women was established in Boston in honor of her advocacy work.
