By Jessica Hopper
Rock Center
Mimi Alford is speaking publicly for the first time about the secret she’s held for half a century. Alford claims that she had an 18-month-long affair with President John F. Kennedy when she was a White House intern.
“I think when you keep a secret and when you keep silent about something, you do it because you think it’s keeping you safe, but in fact, it’s deadly,” Alford told Meredith Vieira in an exclusive interview scheduled to air Wednesday on NBC’s Rock Center with Brian Williams.
In 1962, a 19-year-old Alford spent her summer in Washington, D.C., interning in the White House press office. She had just finished her freshman year at Wheaton College in Massachusetts. Four days into her internship, Alford claims that JFK aide, David Powers, invited her to go swimming in the White House pool. Alford was surprised when the 45-year-old president joined her and two others in the pool.
“It really didn’t seem unnatural, just because everybody was friendly and I went back to work afterwards,” Alford said. “No one said anything.”
Later that day, she says she received another call to visit the private floors of the White House. The naïve teenager didn’t question the president’s intentions when he asked to take her on a tour of the White House.
“The president came over to me and asked me if I’d like to take a tour of the second floor of the White House and see some of the rooms that had been redecorated. The last room that we went into was the bedroom and we walked into the bedroom and it was a beautiful room…I learned later that it was Mrs. Kennedy’s bedroom,” Alford said.
Alford says that she lost her virginity to the president in the first lady’s bedroom. In her soon to be released memoir, Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and its Aftermath, Alford described her first sexual encounter with the president writing that, “I wouldn’t describe what happened that night as making love, but I wouldn’t call it nonconsensual either.”
When asked if she felt overpowered by Kennedy, she told Vieira, “I think overpowered in the sense that he was the president. He was this unbelievably handsome man, 45 years old, overpowered in the fact that he had chosen me…and taken me on this tour. That's what I mean by being overpowered by the whole situation. Not overpowered physically that someone had grabbed me and done this to me and made me do something that I wasn't really willing to do, because I really think I was willing to do it.”
Alford emphasized to Vieira that if she had told the president no, he would have stopped. The affair continued for 18 months even after Alford returned to college.
“I think I was under the aura of, I had just a little bit of second thoughts, not enough to keep me from going back,” said Alford of the affair’s beginnings.
While interning, Alford would sometimes travel with the president. When she returned to college, he’d have arrangements made for her to come visit him. Sometimes, a limo would pick her up and take her to the airport to fly to Washington, D.C. Alford remembers doing homework in the limo as she headed to meet the president.
“I should have felt guilty. He was married to Mrs. Kennedy, but I didn’t at the time feel guilty,” Alford said.
Looking back now, Alford says that she realizes she was at Kennedy’s beck and call.
“I think that’s probably partly what makes me feel sad when I look back. It made me feel very special,” Alford said.
Alford described Kennedy as “boyish” and “shy” around her.
“I’m not going to say he loved me, but I think he did like me a lot. He cared about me,” she said. “Just the way he was, the way he smiled with me. I feel that he did. I feel that he actually cared about me.”
When pressed by Vieira about whether she really believes that Kennedy had genuine feelings for her or if believing that is simply a way for her to comfort herself all these years later, Alford said, “I think it’s a little bit of both.”
Now 68, Alford’s soon to be released memoir shares explicit details about the affair, including a claim that the president encouraged her to have sexual relations with at least one other person at the White House. Alford says that keeping the affair secret was more damaging than the affair itself. She said that it affected her relationships and contributed to the demise of her first marriage.
Alford was first publicly outed in 2003 when historian Robert Dallek wrote 37 words about an unnamed intern who had an affair with Kennedy in his biography of Kennedy called An Unfinished Life. The New York Daily News identified her and Alford issued a simple written statement confirming her secret relationship. She faded into obscurity, but said that the secret eventually became too much to hold inside.
“It’s not so much that I feel that I’m exposing myself, it’s that I’m really unburdening myself, it was a very difficult thing for me to do,” Alford said. “In fact, most mornings when I woke up I thought I don’t want to get up and write this book, I want to hide under the covers.”
Editor’s Note: Meredith Vieira’s exclusive interview with Mimi Alford airs Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 9pm/8c on NBC’s Rock Center with Brian Williams. Vieira talks to Alford at length in the author's first candid interview.
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I cant believe he had her do his friend. WOW that was tough stuff
" Let him who is without sin, cast a stone ! "
Although I agree that this story is nothing more than entertainment I do recognize this woman wanting to set the story from her own point of view. Why should she stand aside while other biographers continue to mention this episode in her life to advance their own agendas? However, what really stood out was Meredith's overwhelming disapproval. She continuously scoffed at Allford in the extra clips, repeatedly saying there was no corroboration. What is a good journalist doing with this story then? It would seem like a great opportunity to do real research. There was so much disapproval it seemed Meredith was forced to do the story and didn't like it one bit. Barbara Walters has interviewed controversial world figures without injecting herself so much into the interviews and with so much more "care and grace" than Meredith was capable of showing tonight. Give Meredith a D-.
" Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone ! "
This is our great American president. Our leader of ethics, champion of rights, leading the people to a new American way, the great family man. What an American shame. And our Democrat leadership just stand silent about the hypocrisy. Like when William J. Clinton lied under oath about his involvements. His cabinet stood in front of media lights "blindly" repeating his lies. Did Democrat administration ever come back and apologize to the public for endorsing such bad leadership? It makes this Democrat ashamed of our party leaders.
It's very brave of this woman to make her story public, risking judgment and ridicule. A young, impressionable woman of the 60's era, in awe of the President -- it's understandable that she succumbed to his seduction. I can see how something like this happening to a young woman can have a lasting impact on her and her life. Completely. Have some heart, folks. She was taken advantage of and after so many years, she still doesn't completely see that. Sharing something as big as this, in her own words, from her own account is probably more emotionally therapeutic than what some kind of "fame" and money from it will bring. She knows that this chapter of her life is nothing to be proud of yet in her interview she speaks honestly about her feelings and thoughts about it at the time that it was happening. Only age 19 - 20. Really that's young and we are more foolish when we are young.
Peace.
LOL...the first thing I said,was "Meredith WHO?"
Mimim Alford is nothing more than an expensive call girl. She performed a sexual service,and now she wants to be paid for it,in the form of book sales and tv interviews.I wonder if she's desperate for some money?
Nothing worse,or lower than a senior,dried-up old cougar...someone who kisses and tells...someone who apparently can diss one of our most beloved presidents...why Mimi must surely be laughing all the way to the bank,because it's HER word against a man who's not here to defend himself.
Both you Mimi Alford,and NBC outta be ashamed of yourselves...just out for a fast buck,noteriety,aqnd ratings....
I'd much rather do what I usually do on Wednesday nights at 9 p.m., watch Modern Family over at ABC. Rock Center? Too bad Brian Williams...thought you were better than a trashy installment of tabloid tv. And the only reason I comment on this tardy topic is because NBC/Brian Williams decided to advertise this garbage (Mimi Alford's so called affair with the former president) on the nightly news.
Think I'll switch news programs at 6:30. And Meredith? Don't quit your day job,,,you aint that good sweetheart, in any public forum....
This was our great American president, the Democrat conscience of his people, and a great family man. Was all of this common knowledge in and around D.C. There is the root of hypocrisy in the American liberal left. The reason why people are so cynical. No one spoke. Jackie bared the brunt of the lie. Then there is William J. Clinton. Same hype about great ethics, the defender of minorities and women. He sent his cabinet to lie for him in front of media lights. No one regrets the misleading the public? It makes this Democrat ashamed of the "most ethical" leaders. Indeed.
She is psychologically compromised. I hope someone subpeonas her psychiatrists notes. It also libelous for NBC, Brian and Meredith to report, interview and give credibility to her tale.
She is obviously someone trying to call attention to herself because she is a) guilty of low self esteem. b) in need of some money. c) suffering from early dementia.
This is a story that has been told from the beginning of time until the end of time. Kings, movie stars, sports heroes, presidents, executives, etc., can be substituted for the main subject of the story. I think the most amazing thing is not the naivety of a young girl, but the naivety of our nation with its puritanical foundation. Men in power will most certainly always exercise their "right" as alpha-males to take any female they can. It is their very nature as alpha-males that makes them prime for the positions they rise to. As we surely must realize by now, no office or responsibility in our land, or in the world will ever temper mans' baser nature - or womans'. Most (but not all) women will assume a submissive role to an alpha-male. It is the ultimate flattery to be chosen by an alpha-male, and particularly so, if he is already married - just as it is even more appealing to the man if he is married. It is the "getting away with" aspect of the action that enhances it. This type of activity feeds that ego and gives one an high that is like a drub. Alpha-males engage in high risk behaviors - which is clearly a Kennedy trait - and has left JFK's son - our American prince - at the bottom of the sea. Power- risk -sexual aggression...all part of the package of an alpha-male in his prime. She's not a slut. He's not a pervert. They are simply human, and we are all lothe to hear our hero's names tarnished and the mirror held up to our own faces. Why do these men and women behave as they do? Simply because they can. And we only live once...but in John F. Kennedy's case, he will live forever, and now so shall Mimi. He singled her out. This is her legacy, this is her story, and what she teaches us by her disclosure is that Gods are all too human. They set their goals higher than mere humans - and they risk it all to stroke their own egos - which are like bottomless wells that suck life from everyone around them. Mimi was cared for by JFK - as much as a man loves his pet. The fact that other people were aware of what was happening enhanced it even further for JFK. The fact that he asked her to perform oral sex on another man and to turn to his brother should answer her question of whether he really cared for her or not. She was a commodity that he had complete power over - and that turned him on. He glammed her - she was a moth drawn to a flame too exciting and intoxicating to resist. And we all know what happened to the moth. Thank you for sharing, Mimi. Risks always have costs, and you have paid for them. Would you do it again? Sure - because you could.
We are all here to learn,grow,make mistakes. I don't condemn either, they did what they did and thats it. It's the past. Hopefully Mimi can move on, You learn and grow from things. Rest in peace J.F.K. & Jackie.
Shame on NBC for promoting a book written by a promiscious female about her promoscuity. I feel she is just promoting the book to make money with no concern for the shame she is putting on her own family and the Kennedy family. She kept her mouth shut for all those years - why blab now? I feel sorry for her family!
Promiscuous female? Self serving double standard you have here. She was seduced by a handsome, powerful married man. She is unburdened now. I have never had an affair but I also don't throw stones or sit in judgement and opinions are like anal orifices - every one has one and some of them need not be shared.
Where my comment about Clinton's alleged sexual assault against Juanita Broaddrick in 1978. NBC Dateline did a story, witnesses saw her bloody swollen lip right after the attack. All the dates and everything she said checked out when the Dateline researchers checked it out. The late Tim Russert watched all the footage Lisa Meyers and her crew shot and was physically ill. Rape counselors watched the interview and believed her. One question from Sam Donalson that was passed by Bubba to his lawyer. That was it, the story was buried. I bet 80% of Americans have no idea Clinton was accused of sexual assault and not just once. Also by a women named Eileen Wellstone in 1969 when Bubba was attending Oxford. It was all hushed up, the women pressured to not pursue it. SA few months later Bubba is asked to leave. Where's that Story Rock Center ??? Kennedy didn't assault anyone we know of.
In 2003, Robert Dallek mentioned Mimi Alford in a book that he wrote. After that was published, a few other authors wrote about her.
It seems like she had two reasons for writing the book:
1) to set the record straight (in case there had been distortions in the aforementioned writings)
2) "Confession is good for the soul." Mimi's husband should have let her talk to him about the affair. Talking can help people face various realities, and burying things "under the rug" can cause problems.
I believe that she could have unburdened herself to a few people rather than to the whole world. However, maybe I'm just not seeing some valid reasons for telling everyone.
so what has Mimi Alford been doing for the past few decades?.....scouring every book written on JFK for some lame mention of her name?
*that's* her justification for letting the entire world know in detail how she lost her virginity?
Thank you,no...I have no desire to hear about a trashy soap-opera.If I want that,the Enquirer does a much better job.
Up until last week,most if not all of us never knew who this old lady is. Ms.Alford,do us all a big favour,next time you have sex,don't write a book about it...just quietly go back into the hole you apparently crawled out of long enough to pen some alleged affair.
easy for you to write a book there lady...the guy's not even here to defend himself against your allegations.And why should we believe anything you've said?Perhaps the story is half truth,half fiction. Guess the truth lies somewhere in the middle.You wanted to be famous? Well...now you've got it--for all the wrong reasons.Just another hack writer looking to cash in on some sexual antics with a famous person. Pretty lame....
President of United States of America
Was a man who loved women.
The dogs (that call themselves citizens) make their little minds make little judgements.
This was the youngest man ever elected President.
He was an authentic WWII hero. I remember those men who went and fought risking everything for this country. No PTSD they did their job and resumed their lives afterward.
Gossip is titillating and makes everyone curious about who is doing whom.
Still want o know ( out of curiosity) who the two 18 year olds mentioned in William Manchester's book. They were blondes and nick-named FIDDLE and FADDLE. JFK took both of them to bed at the same time.
The Secret Service had to walk the areas under the streets of cities with JFK to take him to hotels for dalliances.
They knew all about his sexual prowess.
When he took first bullet the agent is looking right at him and never makes a move toward Presidential limo. Even after Connaly got shot or after the one that blew his head off.
I believe they made a slpoof movie about that sinario i think it was called DICK I am not kidding with you.
I think being the president of the united states obiously has its perks but one of them I think is having a sense of power you are the head of one of the biggest and most powerful and influencial countries in the world, what man wouldn't have it go to his head and at some point during his political power believe himself to be invincable and be irrisistable to women. I believe every president toys with the idea that they could have any woman they desired. everyman makes mistakes and even though you are a president of a country you are only human. Nothing corrupts a man more than power. as for the woman what would you do in her situation?
Before he became President he was screwing everything in site.
The power of President had nothing to do with this ladies man.
and dick nixon was still an ugly troll who could not even get it down pat after seeing deep-throat a hundred times.
Mimi you have nothing to be ashame of, in the 60's that's just how older men had affairs with young girls. I am one of those girls, now in my 60's.
I think being president obviouly has its perks, one of them is have a sense of power, you are the head of one of the biggest most influencial and powerful countries in the world. what man wouldn't let it go to his head? what man throughout his political power not thought himself invincable at some point in time and think he was irrisistable to woman? I think every president has toyed with the idea that he could have any woman his heart desired? just because you are president of a country does not mean you are not human. nothing corrupts a man like power and power is only temptation mans biggest downfall. we are all human the only difference is the president is being watched by the entire world. what about the girl? she was being called upon by the president of the united states? what would you do in her situation? and you can never judge someone unless you were in their shoes.
President Kennedy's sexual affairs sadly exposes the arrogant use of power. A young girl barely out of high school becomes his sexual focus (among others). He was able to continue these seductions because the media allowed him to keep them secret.
Shame on the media. Shame on this disgusting man and this silly blinded by power young girl. It's too bad the United States can't produce men of honor and young girls smarter....
Powerful men have had affairs since biblical times. The bible provides an example as to how we should live but it has examples in it of powerful men who behaved below that called for in their station in life. How can we blame her - we can't - people are human with human frailties. Monogamy in marriage can be maintained by enabling and ensuring very frequent encounters. Every generation thinks it invented sex which is a very false assumption. No matter how outwardly religious the person - well look at the recent issues with priests and fallen televangelists. Monogamy and the sanctions against adultery in biblical times were designed to control women as to more modern "discussions" about abortion, birth control, unwed mothers - were does all this come from. Human sexual impulses and even presidents are not immune to them - in fact in many cases the sense of entitlement promotes it. Now relax - this is not a Democratic thing nor is it a Republican thing it is a human condition. The defence against such behaviour is a devoted healthy and very active marriage in EVERY respect and the more so the safer and better for all parties. Money and power do not guarantee success here - it is much more basic.
What an incredible insight into a real and complex man - we are in her debt for this.
they said it was confirm a young intern had a affair .. didnt confirm it was this women.. hell everyone has died who could confirm this . who knows it could of been another intern who this women knows is dead too and she is just steppin in to collect on the money... the media or shows who put this women on is takin a risk .. there is no poof.. she torn the letter up JFK sent her the day before he got killed .. she pawn the jewerly.. Pff i think this women is lying to just make money.. yes i dont give a crap who slept with JFK.. its just sad ppl like this would come out now after all these years..tellin the darkside .. watching her give blow jobs.. Gezzz give me a break.. wish i wouldnt of watch this show prob wont again.. yes she gets her 15 min of fame but why would you put yourself in the gutters to recieve it.. was it worth it???? hope she gets sued and loose all the money she will make from this bull@!$%# story... SHOW THE POOF !!!!! there is no poof unless someone named her as his young intern mistress... they only said there was a intern ..didnt say her name.. i think she is lying to make money.. what a pittful women..
they said it was confirm a young intern had a affair .. didnt confirm it was this women.. hell everyone has died who could confirm this . who knows it could of been another intern who this women knows is dead too and she is just steppin in to collect on the money... the media or shows who put this women on is takin a risk .. there is no poof.. she torn the letter up JFK sent her the day before he got killed .. she pawn the jewerly.. Pff i think this women is lying to just make money.. yes i dont give a crap who slept with JFK.. its just sad ppl like this would come out now after all these years..tellin the darkside .. watching her give blow jobs.. Gezzz give me a break.. wish i wouldnt of watch this show prob wont again.. yes she gets her 15 min of fame but why would you put yourself in the gutters to recieve it.. was it worth it???? hope she gets sued and loose all the money she will make from this bull@!$%# story... SHOW THE POOF !!!!! there is no poof unless someone named her as his young intern mistress... they only said there was a intern ..didnt say her name.. i think she is lying to make money.. what a pittful women..
Thank you Mimi: For your courage. For your honesty. For your truth. You have helped many by not making them feel so alone, and others by opening their eyes.
ms. vieira, thanks for setting a new standard for sanctimony from the interview chair. most pathetic interview i've ever seen on nbc. Brokaw would have handled the subject with equanimity to all parties, and he certainly wouldn't have thrown such disdainful facial expressions at one of our most talented American Presidents. Happy for you that you've led a perfect life. Happy for us that we had the benefit of President Kennedy's leadership.
here's wishing you a short career.
I thought she retired.
Please tell me what the difference is between Bill Clinton & John Kennedy? Also, please tell me what happened to the women who accused Herman Cain until he was out of the running for the nomination? Oh I see, once their accusations were done, they slithered back into the hole they came out of. Sure seems like a double standard to me. I'm just sayin