Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s absence from two major family events has sparked speculation about the state of his marriage to actress Cheryl Hines, and the news comes in the wake of allegations of an affair with journalist Olivia Nuzzi, which both parties have acknowledged was never physical.

RFK Jr.’s alleged sexting scandal with Nuzzi has led to professional -- and potentially personal -- fallout for both and raised concerns about the ethical lines between journalists and their sources, as the Daily Mail reports, with speculation officially growing about a potential divorce for the former presidential hopeful.

Kennedy, 70, missed his wife’s 59th birthday celebration, which was held in Milan, Italy. Hines attended the event with her daughter Catherine Rose Young and stepdaughter Kyra LeMoyne Kennedy, sharing photos of the occasion on social media. In a post on Instagram, she captioned a picture with her daughters, “Me & my girls,” notably without her husband’s presence.

Family Celebrations Continue Without RFK Jr.

On the same weekend as Hines’ birthday, RFK Jr. also missed another significant family gathering. His niece, Grace Kennedy Allen, celebrated her pre-wedding festivities in Massachusetts.

The event, which included a family dive into Hyannis Harbor, was a vibrant occasion, yet Kennedy’s absence was evident.

Compounding the speculation, Hines was seen without her wedding ring. This fueled further rumors that the couple's relationship may be strained due to the controversy surrounding RFK Jr.'s alleged interactions with Nuzzi. The couple, who have been married since 2014, have yet to publicly comment on the status of their relationship.

Olivia Nuzzi on Leave Amid Scandal

The journalist at the center of the controversy, Olivia Nuzzi, 31, was placed on leave from New York Magazine after details of her communications with RFK Jr. surfaced. Nuzzi admitted that their relationship had taken a personal turn, stating to the Mail that some of their communication was inappropriate, although she emphasized that it was never physical.

Nuzzi’s professional conduct has come under scrutiny, especially after a 2015 tweet in which she alluded to female journalists sleeping with their sources resurfaced. This led many to question her objectivity in covering political figures, including RFK Jr.

Details of the Relationship Emerge

According to Nuzzi, her interactions with RFK Jr. began after she visited his $7 million California home for an interview last year. The visit resulted in a feature article, but after the story was published, the nature of their communications reportedly shifted.

Kennedy himself insisted that he had only met Nuzzi once for the interview, which he claimed resulted in a negative piece. Insiders, however, revealed that the two had been engaging in "sexting." These revelations have intensified scrutiny on RFK Jr., who has been a prominent political figure and environmental activist.

New York Magazine Responds to Allegations

New York Magazine swiftly responded to the allegations by stating that they were unaware of Nuzzi’s relationship with Kennedy. They acknowledged that had they known, she would not have been allowed to continue covering the presidential campaign.

The magazine conducted an internal review of Nuzzi’s work and found no evidence of inaccuracies or bias in her reporting. However, they expressed regret over the violation of trust with their readers and confirmed that Nuzzi is currently on leave. A third-party review is underway to further investigate the situation.

Consequences for Both Parties

The fallout from this scandal has had significant consequences for both RFK Jr. and Nuzzi. For Kennedy, the controversy has cast a shadow over his public image, especially as he distances himself from important family gatherings. For Nuzzi, the repercussions have been professional, with her journalistic ethics called into question.

Nuzzi admitted that she should have disclosed the nature of her relationship with Kennedy to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. She expressed regret for not doing so and issued an apology to her colleagues and readers. “I deeply regret not doing so immediately and apologize to those I’ve disappointed,” she said.

Speculation Surrounding RFK Jr.’s Marriage

As the scandal unfolds, attention has turned to RFK Jr.’s marriage to Hines. While neither party has publicly commented on their relationship, Hines’ decision to appear without her wedding ring, combined with Kennedy’s absence from key family events, has led to increasing speculation about the couple’s future.

Hines, known for her role on the television show Curb Your Enthusiasm, has maintained a low profile throughout the controversy. Her recent social media activity, which has not included any mention of RFK Jr., has only added to the rumors.

Conclusion: Fallout From a Public Scandal

The ongoing scandal involving RFK Jr. and Olivia Nuzzi has highlighted the potential pitfalls of personal relationships between public figures and journalists. Both parties have faced significant fallout, with Kennedy missing key family moments and Nuzzi stepping away from her journalistic role amid an ethical review.

While RFK Jr. and Nuzzi maintain that their relationship was never physical, the implications of their inappropriate communications have caused considerable damage. As investigations continue, questions remain about the future of RFK Jr.’s marriage and Nuzzi’s career.