Kitty Dukakis, Advocate and Political Spouse, Passes Away at 88

BROOKLINE, Mass. — Kitty Dukakis, a prominent political figure and advocate who served as the wife of former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, passed away Friday night at the age of 88. She was known for her relentless activism and candid discussions about her personal struggles with addiction and mental health.

Dukakis rose to prominence during the 1988 presidential campaign, where she delivered numerous speeches, supporting her husband, the Democratic nominee, while striking back at Republican opponents. As Massachusetts’ first lady, she championed various causes, notably those for the homeless and political refugees.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Dukakis had a profound impact as a private citizen, openly sharing her experiences with alcoholism and depression. In her memoir, she candidly admitted, “I’m still struggling to resume my place — with one important difference: Now I know, before I can do anything for anyone else, I have to take care of myself.”

Born Katharine Dickson on December 26, 1936, in Cambridge, she was set on a path that would eventually lead her to public service and community engagement. Mrs. Dukakis served as a presidential appointee on national Holocaust panels, contributing to the establishment of a national memorial and museum.

Her work with the Holocaust Council provided crucial perspectives on human rights, as she often called for universal lessons to be drawn from history, stating, “Perhaps in the entire history of civilization, the Holocaust was the most important object lesson in man’s inhumanity to man.”

Mrs. Dukakis also played an instrumental role in advocating for women’s representation in government. Early in Michael Dukakis’s governorship, she urged him to appoint four women to his Cabinet, a move that was unprecedented at the time. Former Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Murphy, a close associate, stated, “Kitty Dukakis is the one who really pushed Michael Dukakis to open these doors.”

After earning a degree from Lesley College, she married Michael Dukakis in 1963, and the couple faced numerous personal challenges, including her struggles with substance abuse. Despite enduring four miscarriages and addiction issues, Mrs. Dukakis remained steadfast in her support for her husband during his political tenure.

Michael Dukakis, who lost the 1988 presidential election to George H.W. Bush, often reflected on the impact of the campaign on their personal lives. After a particularly tough debate during the campaign, Kitty conveyed her discontent with his performance, indicating the weight the election placed on their family.

Following the campaign, Mrs. Dukakis’s alcohol dependency worsened, leading to multiple treatment admissions. In 1990, she published a memoir detailing her battles with addiction, which began with the declaration, “I’m Kitty Dukakis and I’m a drug addict and an alcoholic.”

Her commitment to public service continued even after her husband’s political career, as she served on various boards dedicated to humanitarian efforts, including the treatment of children and the support of refugees. She expressed a strong desire to see improvements in how the U.S. assists those seeking refuge from war-torn nations.

Mrs. Dukakis’s legacy includes her pivotal role in raising awareness around mental health issues, advocating for those seeking help, and promoting women’s leadership. She is survived by her husband, Michael; their son, John; daughters Andrea and Kara; and seven grandchildren.