Rosemary Kennedy, the eldest daughter of Joseph and Rose Kennedy, underwent a prefrontal lobotomy in 1941 at her father’s request in an attempt to address her developmental challenges and mood swings.

The operation proved disastrous, leaving her permanently disabled with the mental abilities of a young child. She was placed in institutional care and kept out of the public eye for many years. Despite this tragedy, her life inspired her sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, to establish the Special Olympics. Rosemary Kennedy lived until 2005, passing away at the age of 86.