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By Adeola Adeosun
Weekend Night Editor
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Kitty Dukakis, wife of former Massachusetts governor and 1988 Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis, died Friday night at age 88, surrounded by family. Her son, John Dukakis, confirmed her passing to the Associated Press on Saturday.
A Generous Life
Dukakis transformed her personal struggles with addiction and depression into powerful advocacy, breaking ground on destigmatizing mental health treatments.
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Her openness about her challenges, including electroconvulsive therapy for depression, created space for public discussions about mental health when such conversations were rare.
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What To Know
Kitty met her future husband while attending high school in Brookline, Massachusetts. They married in 1963. Following her husband's 1988 presidential campaign, she publicly addressed her battles with addiction and mental health.
In 2006, she authored Shock, crediting electroconvulsive therapy that she received in 2001 for relieving the depression she had suffered for years.
Beyond mental health advocacy, Dukakis served on the United States Holocaust Memorial Council after being appointed by President George H.W. Bush in 1989. She was also a member of the President's Commission on the Holocaust in 1979 and advocated for refugees and homeless populations.
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What People Are Saying
Dukakis family statement: "She fought to make the world better, sharing her vulnerabilities to help others face theirs. She was loving, feisty and fun, and had a keen sensitivity to people from all walks of life."
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey in a statement: "She spoke courageously about her struggles with substance use disorder and mental health, which serves as an inspiration to us all to break down stigma and seek help."
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell in a statement: "Her legacy will live on in the policies she helped shape and the people she inspired to speak their own truths."
Maria Ivanova, director of Northeastern University's Policy School, in a statement: "Kitty Dukakis brought honesty, compassion, and strength to public life. Her legacy is one of service, resilience, and truth-telling."
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What Happens Next?
The Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University continues to reflect her legacy of public service and policy advocacy, particularly in urban development and social welfare.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
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