9/11 Anniversary: What happened When Simon Kennedy Faced the Man Who Killed His Mum

The Aussie comedian lost his mum in the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Yvonne Kennedy was on the trip of a lifetime, when her plane – American Airlines Flight 77 – crashed into the Pentagon.

In that moment, Simon’s private loss and grief was forever connected to this public tragedy, one that the world still remembers with shock, sadness and disbelief.

While Simon initially kept his grief separate from his public life as a comedian, he started to realise he had a powerful story to share, told in the book 9/11 and the Art of Happiness.

He also made up his mind that he would not let hate destroy his life. This resolve was tested recently when he  travelled to Guantanamo Bay in 2019 and saw his Mum’s killer face-to-face.

Simon spoke to Hope Mornings about that moment, what he has learned about resilience and why, if he had the chance, he wouldn’t change a thing.

9/11 and the Art of Happiness has been re-released as an updated ebook and audiobook for the 20th anniversary.

Hope 103.2 is proudly supported by