Listen: Aussie comedian Simon Kennedy opens up about losing his mum in 9/11 attack on New York City's Twin Towers, 20 years ago
By Katrina RoeFriday 10 Sep 2021Hope MorningsInspirational StoriesReading Time: 1 minute
Twenty years ago, Simon Kennedy’s life changed forever.
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.
Source: Simon Kennedy – Comedian Facebook
Source: Simon Kennedy – Comedian Facebook