Ted Kennedy was a member of America's most famous political family. Here, he's pictured with his brothers, former President John F. Kennedy and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. Both brothers were assassinated, but Ted Kennedy carried on his family's name and their fight for the poor and working class.

In 1969, Kennedy was involved in a car accident, which became known as the Chappaquiddick incident. Kennedy drove off the road and into a tidal channel. He left the scene, but a former campaign worker for Robert Kennedy, Mary Jo Kopechne, died. Kennedy pleaded guilty to the charge of leaving the scene.

Kennedy made a run at the White House in 1980, challenging incumbent Democratic nominee Jimmy Carter. He dropped out of the race in August, but made a speech that became a regular rallying cry of his supporters and a far larger body of Americans who consider themselves champions of social justice: "For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die."

Kennedy married former model Joan Bennett in November 1958. The couple had three children: Kara Kennedy Allen, Edward Kennedy Jr., and Patrick Kennedy, who is a member of the House of Representatives.

Kennedy married his second wife, Victoria Reggie, in July 1992. The couple, whose families were close friends, began seriously dating after being together at an anniversary party for Victoria's parents.

Sen. Kennedy worked closely with President Bill Clinton during his terms in the White House. Here, he's seen with Clinton during his 1996 campaign against Bob Dole.

Kennedy is seen here with comedians Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, and Robin Williams at HBO's 7th Annual Comic Relief in 1995.

Kennedy remained relevant throughout his political career. In 2006, he appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart to promote his book, America: Back on Track.

Kennedy was a supporter of President Barack Obama throughout his campaign. Kennedy even made a speech at the opening night of the Democratic National Convention a couple months after undergoing brain surgery.