JFK's sister Eunice Shriver dies

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Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of President John F Kennedy and founder of the Special Olympics, has died aged 88.

She died at Cape Cod hospital in Massachusetts on Tuesday morning, her family said in a statement.

Ms Shriver organised the first Special Olympic Games in 1968, partly inspired by her mentally disabled sister, Rosemary Kennedy.

She is credited with helping to transform views of the mentally disabled through her campaigns.

Ms Shriver had been in critical condition at Cape Cod hospital since last week.

Her diagnosis was not given, but she had suffered a series of strokes in recent years.

Ms Shriver is the mother of TV host Maria Shriver, who is married to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Ms Shriver's brother, Sen Edward Kennedy, is battling brain cancer that was diagnosed last year.