Adriana Palmer
In 1969, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, the former First Lady of the United States, physically confronted a paparazzo on a Manhattan sidewalk. It was a moment that revealed a side of Jackie that many had never seen before—a side that was strong, decisive.
To understand the significance of this event, it’s important to recognize who Jackie Kennedy Onassis was at the time. As the widow of President John F. Kennedy, she had been in the spotlight for years. Despite her efforts to live a more private life after her husband’s assassination in 1963, the attention never really waned. In fact, the public’s fascination with her only grew as she remarried in 1968 to Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. This only intensified the media’s obsession with her, making her one of the most photographed women in the world.
On the day of the incident, Jackie had gone to see a controversial Swedish film called “I Am Curious (Yellow).” The film was known for its explicit content, and it had sparked debates across the United States. Her decision to watch this particular movie was enough to attract the attention of the paparazzi, who were always eager to capture any moment of her life, no matter how private. Photographer Mel Finkelstein was one of those who got the tip that Jackie was at the theater. He, along with other photographers, waited outside, ready to snap a picture as soon as she exited.
When Jackie finally emerged from the theater, the photographers quickly surrounded her. They followed her out onto the sidewalk, their cameras clicking furiously, hoping to get that perfect shot. Among them was Finkelstein, who had no idea that he was about to become part of a story that would be talked about for years.
As Jackie walked along the sidewalk, she suddenly approached Finkelstein. He later recounted that he thought she was going to say something to him, perhaps a request to stop taking pictures or to give her some space. But what happened next was something no one, including Finkelstein, could have predicted. Jackie grabbed his right arm, positioned her left leg in front of him, and in one swift motion, flipped him over her thigh. The photographer, who stood at five foot ten and weighed 168 pounds, was completely taken by surprise. He found himself on the ground, stunned by what had just happened.
The move Jackie used was a classic judo technique, often referred to as an “osoto gari” or a “major outer reap.” It involves pulling the opponent’s arm while sweeping their leg out from under them, causing them to lose balance and fall. What made this incident even more remarkable was that Jackie was wearing a leather skirt and heels at the time, attire that would typically hinder someone from performing such a maneuver. Yet, she executed it with precision and walked away as if nothing had happened.
Finkelstein was left in shock, not only because he had been physically confronted by Jackie Kennedy Onassis but also because of the sheer force and skill with which she had flipped him. He later admitted that he never expected her to do something physical. In his mind, she was the elegant and composed former First Lady, not someone who would engage in a physical altercation on a public sidewalk. But Jackie had clearly had enough of the constant intrusion into her private life, and in that moment, she took matters into her own hands—literally.
What happened next was equally surprising. Despite the public nature of the incident, Finkelstein chose not to pursue any legal action against Jackie. He could have easily filed a lawsuit, especially in today’s world where such incidents often lead to lengthy court battles. However, Finkelstein decided to let the matter go. He later said that Jackie claimed he had slipped, a statement that could have been an attempt to downplay the situation. Whether or not Finkelstein believed her, he didn’t push the issue further.
This incident was a rare glimpse into the frustration and anger that Jackie must have felt after years of being hounded by the press. It showed that even someone as poised and composed as Jackie Kennedy Onassis had her limits. The constant scrutiny, the invasion of privacy, and the relentless pursuit by photographers had clearly taken a toll on her. And on that day in 1969, she decided to push back.
It’s worth noting that the 1960s were a different time when it came to the relationship between celebrities and the media. The paparazzi were becoming more aggressive, and the public’s appetite for celebrity news was growing. The lines between public and private life were becoming increasingly blurred, especially for someone like Jackie, who was both a former First Lady and a member of one of the most famous families in American history. The pressure to always be in the public eye, to always be “on,” must have been immense.
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