Kitty Dukakis, Advocate for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery, Dies at 88
BROOKLINE, Mass. — Kitty Dukakis, the wife of former Massachusetts governor and Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis, has passed away at the age of 88. Known for her candid discussions about her struggles with depression and addiction, her impact was felt by many.
Kitty Dukakis passed away on Friday evening, surrounded by family, as confirmed by her son, John Dukakis, in a phone conversation on Saturday. In a statement, her family expressed her commitment to improving lives, stating that she often shared her personal struggles to help others face their own.
“She was loving, spirited, and joyful, with a deep empathy for people from all walks of life,” her family noted. “For over 60 years, she and our father, Michael Dukakis, shared a profound and loving partnership.”
Kitty gained prominence during her husband’s 1988 presidential campaign, where her tireless work on the campaign trail was instrumental. Her involvement played a key role in his decision to run for president.
A pivotal moment came during a 1988 presidential debate when she was the subject of a question regarding capital punishment. Michael Dukakis’s response, indicating he would not support the death penalty in such a scenario, drew both attention and criticism for its perceived emotional detachment.
Earlier in the campaign, in 1987, Kitty disclosed her recovery from a 26-year addiction to amphetamines, which she had battled since her teenage years. She had begun using diet pills at just 19 years old.
As her husband focused on anti-drug initiatives, Kitty emerged as a strong advocate for educating young people about the risks of drug and alcohol use.
However, following Michael’s defeat in the presidential election to George H.W. Bush, Kitty sought help and entered a 60-day alcohol rehabilitation program. She later faced a setback that required hospitalization after accidentally consuming rubbing alcohol.
In her 1990 autobiography, “Now You Know,” she attributed many of her battles with addiction to family issues and a lifelong struggle with low self-esteem. Her 2006 book, “Shock,” highlighted the positive impact of electroconvulsive therapy, which she began in 2001, stating it “opened a new reality for me.”
Current Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey praised Dukakis as “a force for good in both public and private life,” emphasizing her efforts to ensure the memory of the Holocaust endures and her advocacy for children, women, and refugees.
“She spoke courageously about her experiences with substance use and mental health, encouraging many to break the stigma and seek help,” Healey stated.
Kitty transformed her own struggles into a source of inspiration for others, remarked Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell on social media.
“Her legacy will continue through the policies she influenced and the individuals she motivated to share their own truths,” Campbell added.
Kitty Dukakis broke new ground by openly discussing her challenges and advocating for the homeless and political refugees, noted Maria Ivanova, director of Northeastern University’s Policy School, which houses the Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy.
“Kitty Dukakis brought honesty, compassion, and resilience to public service,” Ivanova stated. “Her legacy is one of service, strength, and authenticity.”
Kitty met Michael Dukakis while they were both high school students in Brookline, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. While he was practical and reserved, she was vibrant and expressive. Their backgrounds were distinct, with Michael practicing Greek Orthodoxy and Kitty coming from a Jewish family.
Having experienced a divorce and raising a young son, Kitty married Michael Dukakis in 1963, and together they had two daughters, Andrea and Kara.
The daughter of Harry Ellis Dickson, a former associate conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Kitty held degrees in modern dance and broadcasting.
After the presidential election in 1989, she was appointed by President Bush to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.
Her earlier involvement included participation in the President’s Commission on the Holocaust in 1979 and serving on the board of directors of the Refugee Policy Group, as well as the Task Force on Cambodian Children.
By the late 1990s, Kitty and Michael split their time between Massachusetts and California, where she worked as a social worker while he taught at UCLA.
—Former Associated Press writer Lisa Flam contributed to this report.
