Over the years, she has gradually edged back into the spotlight, and stepped more deeply into politics.
Early in 2008, she endorsed Barack Obama in the presidential campaign, a pivotal moment in his primary race against Hillary Rodham Clinton; Kennedy later served on the team that helped Obama select his running mate.
But she abruptly withdrew after flirting with the idea of seeking appointment to the Senate seat vacated when Clinton became secretary of state, citing personal reasons.
Kennedy had been harshly criticized for giving halting interviews and limiting her interactions with reporters, and some critics questioned whether her background had prepared her for the Senate.
Kennedy seemed far more comfortable with the job description when Obama last summer nominated her to serve as U.S. ambassador to Japan. She was unanimously confirmed by the Senate in October.
