The History Of Jackie O. And Her S. T. Dupont Lighter And Pen

Sophisticated and simply elegant are on-point descriptors when in comes to Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis, who served as first lady of the United States from 1961 until 1963 as the wife of President John F. Kennedy. She was also a writer, pen lover, book editor and, of course, international style icon. And the best part? She made it appear effortless, all the while creating remarkable fashion moments that are burned into our collective memory. Who can forget her designer suits, pillbox hats and, later, the oversized sunglasses, that became the fashion aspirations of the famous and not-so-famous wishing to capture a bit of her style.

S.T. Dupont’s connection to Jackie Kennedy dates to her early days as First Lady, when André Malraux, French Minister of Cultural Affairs, gifted her a black lacquer S.T. Dupont Line 1 lighter adorned with a discreet “J” in yellow gold. An enthusiastic Francophile who spoke fluent French, Jackie apparently liked the lighter so much that she asked the company, almost a decade later, to create a matching pen. And owing to the Paris-based brand’s expertise in luxury design and execution, it soon became part of the company’s oeuvre and a recognizable status symbol of the era.

Decades after its initial presentation in 1972, S. T. Dupont is debuting an updated version of the original ballpoint in her honor, a new Classique. This 2025 rendition of the pen is reimagined in a slightly thicker style, with an ergonomic design for added writing comfort and a solid brass base that lends a welcome heft. I think the larger circumference gives the pen a more-modern look that will appeal to both men and women, neither too large nor too small—but just right. The made-in-France writing instrument is available in five variations accented with S. T. Dupont’s renowned lacquer, signature guilloche and articulated clip.

^{Power of her S. T. Dupont pen}

Jackie was prolific letter writer, and these letters—some in her own recognizable printscript—are now a treasured as part of her legacy. And given her unique public status, many of the recipients of her missives were themselves public figures, such as John Steinbeck, whom she unsuccessfully elicited to write a book about JFK. Typed letters on her personal stationery are hand signed and equally sought at auction.

Just last month, an assortment of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis memorabilia, including two signed thank-you letters, went on the auction block at Julien’s Auctions. According to Newsweek.com, “The items offer an intimate look into the life of the former First Lady, whose legacy continues to captivate collectors and historians.” The article goes on to say, “Personal letters and memorabilia associated with her are highly sought after, making this auction a significant event for collectors. The inclusion of signed letters inscribed ‘Affectionately, Jackie’ adds an especially personal touch, providing insight into her relationships and interactions.”

But her literary life didn’t end there. Jackie wrote and co-authored several books, and her later years—nearly two decades—post the death of her second husband, Aristotle Onassis, were spent as an editor at Viking Press and later at Doubleday. She nurtured young authors in this role and acquired nearly 100 works of fiction and non-fiction during that time.