BY COMFORT OGBONNA

Kitty Dukakis, the wife of former Massachusetts governor and Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis, has passed away at the age of 88. A passionate advocate for mental health and addiction awareness, she openly shared her struggles with depression and substance abuse, using her experiences to help others.

Dukakis died on Friday night, surrounded by family, according to her son, John Dukakis. “She fought to make the world better, sharing her vulnerabilities to help others face theirs,” her family said in a statement.

“She was loving, feisty, and fun, with a keen sensitivity to people from all walks of life,” the statement continued. “She and our dad, Michael Dukakis, shared an enviable partnership for over 60 years and loved each other deeply.”

Dukakis played a pivotal role in her husband’s 1988 presidential campaign, tirelessly traveling across the country to support his bid. Her influence was widely recognized, and she was regarded as a key factor in his decision to run for president.

She became the focus of a controversial moment during a 1988 presidential debate when her husband was asked whether he would support the death penalty if she were raped and murdered. His unemotional response—stating that he would not—was widely criticized and became a defining moment in the race.

Dukakis spoke candidly about her battle with addiction. In 1987, she revealed that she had overcome a 26-year dependency on amphetamines, which began when she started taking diet pills at 19. She credited treatment with helping her recover and became a leading advocate against substance abuse.

Following her husband’s loss to Vice President George H.W. Bush, Dukakis entered a 60-day treatment program for alcoholism. However, she relapsed several months later and was hospitalized after consuming rubbing alcohol.

In her 1990 autobiography, Now You Know, she detailed her struggles with addiction and low self-esteem, attributing much of it to her upbringing. In 2006, she published *Shock*, in which she credited electroconvulsive therapy, which she began in 2001, for significantly alleviating her long-term depression. “It opened a new reality for me,” she wrote.

Dukakis was deeply committed to social causes. She worked tirelessly to ensure that the Holocaust was never forgotten and was a strong advocate for children, women, and refugees.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey praised Dukakis as “a force for good in public life and behind the scenes,” highlighting her willingness to speak openly about mental health and addiction, helping to break down stigma.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell echoed that sentiment, noting, “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, described her as a trailblazer in her advocacy for the homeless and political refugees. “Kitty Dukakis brought honesty, compassion, and strength to public life,” Ivanova said. “Her legacy is one of service, resilience, and truth-telling.”

Ted Landsmark, director of the Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy, called her “a deeply devoted spiritual companion” to her husband. “They have been truly effective change-makers on behalf of those in need of care and support,” he said.

Born Katharine Dickson, Dukakis grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts, a Boston suburb. She met Michael Dukakis in high school. While he was serious and frugal, she was expressive and stylish. Their backgrounds were also different—he was Greek Orthodox, while she was Jewish.

She had been previously married and had a young son before marrying Michael Dukakis in 1963. Together, they had two daughters, Andrea and Kara.

Her father, Harry Ellis Dickson, was a longtime associate conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Dukakis herself earned degrees in modern dance and broadcasting.

Dukakis was appointed to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council in 1989 by President George H.W. Bush. She had previously served on the President’s Commission on the Holocaust in 1979 and was a board member of the Refugee Policy Group. She also worked with the Task Force on Cambodian Children.

By the late 1990s, she and her husband split their time between Massachusetts and California. While he taught at UCLA, she continued her work as a social worker.

Her contributions to public service, mental health advocacy, and addiction awareness leave behind a lasting impact.