Kennedy daughter may lose kids in divorce battle

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Aug 3, 2003 | by JULIAN BROUWER in NEW YORK

THE CHEATING Kennedy bride who ran out on her politician husband faces a bitter battle for the custody of their children.

Kerry Kennedy Cuomo - the daughter of assassinated U.S. Attorney General Bobby Kennedy - sparked scandal when her sizzling extra- marital affair with a rich polo player was discovered.

Now sources say jilted hubby Andrew Cuomo may be considering filing a lawsuit for full custody of the couple's three daughters.

"No one should be surprised if Andrew files his custody bid any day now as he tells pals he believes Kerry is too sidetracked these days to raise their little girls," explained an insider. "Don't expect Kerry to sit back - she has too much fight in her."

When 43-year-old Kerry married the upwardly-mobile son of former New York governor Mario Cuomo 13 years ago, relatives saw it as a merger of two great political dynasties.

Her marriage to Andrew in 1990 was dubbed "Cuomolot" at the time and Democrats hoped it would cement his political future.

But when Andrew's campaign to become New York Governor failed miserably, ambitious Kerry is said to have lost interest in him.

At first Cuomo, President Clinton's secretary of Housing and Urban Development, had been willing to opt for a quiet separation, though he was furious she had cheated on him with one of his closest friends, restaurateur Bruce Colley, 50.

However, ever since Andrew said he felt "betrayed" by his wife, friends have been preparing themselves for a ferocious custody battle for twins Mariah and Cara, 9, and Michaela, 6.

"Cuomo violated the first commandment of the Kennedy Bible - 'Thou shalt not lose,' " says Kennedy biographer Edward Klein. "When Cuomo dropped out of the political race he became a loser and he was dumped by his wife."