Kitty Dukakis, wife of former Massachusetts governor and 1988 Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis, has passed away at the age of 88, Fox News Digital has confirmed. Her son, John Dukakis, shared that she died Friday night, “surrounded by family.”
“She was born on December 26, 1936, and lived a full life fighting to make the world a better place and sharing her vulnerabilities to help others face theirs,” her son said in a statement. “She was loving, feisty and fun, and had a keen sensitivity to people from all walks of life. She and our dad, Michael Dukakis, shared an enviable partnership for over 60 years and loved each other deeply. Thank you to all who have touched our lives over the years or who were touched by our mother.”
According to reports from The Washington Post and The New York Times, John Dukakis stated that his mother passed away at her home in Brookline, Massachusetts, due to complications from dementia.
Kitty Dukakis, born Katharine Dickson in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on December 26, 1936, was a prominent American political figure, author, and advocate. She was best known as the wife of Michael Dukakis, the former governor of Massachusetts and the 1988 Democratic nominee for President of the United States. However, Kitty built a legacy of her own through her resilience, public service, and activism.
Raised in a politically engaged household, Kitty was the daughter of Jane (Goldsmith) Dickson, a Massachusetts native, and Harry Ellis Dickson, a longtime conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Lesley College and later pursued a master’s degree in education from Boston University. She married Michael Dukakis in 1963, and the couple had three children together: John, Andrea, and Kara.
As Massachusetts’s first lady, Kitty Dukakis was admired for her poise and intelligence. She became a visible and active political partner, supporting her husband’s campaigns and championing issues related to education, mental health, and the arts. Her role on the national stage grew during the 1988 presidential campaign, where she was frequently in the public eye.
Kitty Dukakis’s personal challenges were also well-known. She struggled with depression and alcoholism, and in a highly publicized 1989 incident, she was hospitalized after ingesting rubbing alcohol. Rather than retreat from public life, Kitty courageously used her experience to raise awareness about addiction and mental health. Her 1991 memoir, Now You Know, offered a candid account of her struggles and recovery, earning widespread praise for its honesty.
In the years that followed, she became a vocal advocate for mental health treatment, particularly electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which she credited with helping her recover from severe depression. She co-authored Shock: The Healing Power of Electroconvulsive Therapy in 2006, helping to demystify and destigmatize the treatment.
Kitty Dukakis remained active in public service throughout her life, serving on various boards and continuing to speak out on health care and recovery issues. Her grace, resilience, and dedication to helping others made her a respected and admired figure far beyond political circles.
