RFK Jr. details his vocal condition’s development.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Voice: A Story of Perseverance

Join Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on his 2024 presidential campaign as he travels across the country, delivering powerful speeches, conducting interviews, and captivating audiences at town halls and special events. But there’s one question that often arises from those who have never heard him speak before – what’s the story behind his voice?

Back in 1996, when Kennedy was just 42 years old, he discovered that he had a neurological condition that caused his voice muscles to experience spasms, resulting in a trembling voice. This condition, known as spasmodic dysphonia, presented a challenge for Kennedy as he continued his public speaking engagements.

During a recent town hall in Chicago, moderator Elizabeth Vargas didn’t shy away from addressing the topic. “Your voice is raspy,” she pointed out. “Why don’t you explain to our audience why?”

“In the 1990s, I was making a living through public speaking,” Kennedy explained. “I could address large halls without any amplification. But then, my voice gradually started to change, and at first, I didn’t know what was wrong.”

It was through letters from concerned listeners that Kennedy learned about spasmodic dysphonia and the renowned physician, Dr. Andrew Blitzer, who specialized in treating the condition. Dr. Blitzer confirmed the diagnosis, providing Kennedy with some answers.

Overcoming the Obstacles

“I think it makes it problematical at times for people to listen to me. I cannot listen to myself on TV. I will never listen to this broadcast. I feel sorry for you guys having to listen to me,” Kennedy shared with a grin, acknowledging the challenges his voice presents.

However, Kennedy’s voice used to be even worse. He underwent a novel surgery in Kyoto, Japan, six months ago, which significantly improved his voice. “It was much worse than this before,” he revealed.

A Rare Condition

Spasmodic dysphonia is a rare disorder that typically emerges between the ages of 30 and 50. Its symptoms develop gradually and without a clear explanation. People with this condition experience breaks in their voice, breathy pauses, or a trembling voice, often likened to having a cold or laryngitis.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), spasmodic dysphonia occurs when the muscles inside the vocal folds undergo involuntary spasms, interfering with the ability to produce voice.

With only one in 100,000 people affected by spasmodic dysphonia, it remains a challenging condition to treat. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure.