Brookline, MA – Kitty Dukakis, the devoted wife of former Massachusetts Governor and 1988 Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis, has passed away at the age of 88, Fox News Digital confirmed. She died peacefully Friday night, surrounded by her loved ones.
Her son, John Dukakis, paid tribute to her remarkable life in a heartfelt statement:
“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. She was loving, feisty, and fun, with a deep 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 The Washington Post and The New York Times, Kitty Dukakis died at her home in Brookline, Massachusetts, from complications related to dementia.
Known not only as a political spouse but also as a passionate advocate, author, and public speaker, Kitty Dukakis inspired many through her openness about personal struggles and her unwavering commitment to social causes.
Born Katharine Dickson on December 26, 1936, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Kitty Dukakis was more than a political spouse—she was a dedicated advocate, author, and public figure who left a lasting mark on American public life. Best known as the wife of Michael Dukakis, former Massachusetts governor and the 1988 Democratic nominee for President, Kitty carved out a legacy of her own through resilience, compassion, and tireless activism.
Raised in a civically engaged household, she was the daughter of Jane (Goldsmith) Dickson, a Massachusetts native, and Harry Ellis Dickson, a renowned conductor with the Boston Pops Orchestra. Kitty pursued higher education with passion, earning a bachelor’s degree from Lesley College and a master’s in education from Boston University.
She married Michael Dukakis in 1963, beginning a remarkable six-decade partnership marked by deep love and mutual respect. Together, they raised three children—John, Andrea, and Kara—while navigating the complexities of political life.
As Massachusetts’s First Lady, Kitty was admired for her grace, intelligence, and unwavering commitment to public service. She played a prominent role in her husband’s political career, offering steady support throughout his gubernatorial terms and during his 1988 presidential campaign. Beyond the spotlight, she championed causes close to her heart, including education, mental health awareness, and the arts.
Kitty Dukakis’s life was a powerful blend of private courage and public dedication—an enduring example of using personal experience to uplift others and shape a more compassionate world.
Kitty Dukakis’s public life was marked not only by her achievements, but by her remarkable courage in confronting deeply personal struggles. She battled depression and alcoholism—challenges that culminated in a highly publicized 1989 incident when she was hospitalized after ingesting rubbing alcohol. Instead of retreating from the public eye, Kitty chose to speak out, transforming her pain into purpose.
In 1991, she released her memoir, Now You Know, a candid and courageous account of her journey through addiction, mental illness, and recovery. The book was praised for its raw honesty and became a beacon of hope for countless others facing similar challenges.
Kitty went on to become a passionate advocate for mental health treatment, openly discussing her positive experience with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which she credited with helping her overcome severe, treatment-resistant depression. In 2006, she co-authored Shock: The Healing Power of Electroconvulsive Therapy, a groundbreaking book that helped dispel stigma and misinformation surrounding the therapy and gave a voice to others seeking effective treatment.
Through her advocacy, Kitty Dukakis not only broke long-held silences around mental health and addiction—she helped change the national conversation, offering strength to those who needed it most.
Throughout her later years, Kitty Dukakis remained deeply committed to public service. She served on numerous boards, lent her voice to health care reform, and continued to advocate passionately for addiction recovery and mental health awareness. Her unwavering dedication to lifting others—often by sharing her own vulnerabilities—earned her admiration not just within political circles, but across the broader landscape of American public life.
Kitty’s legacy is one of grace, grit, and generosity. Whether as a political partner, mental health advocate, or compassionate mentor, she touched countless lives with her honesty, empathy, and tireless resolve to make the world a more understanding and humane place.
She will be remembered not only as the devoted wife of Michael Dukakis and a trailblazer in her own right, but as a woman whose courage helped reshape how our society talks about its most difficult struggles—and how it heals.