For more than 50 years, Caroline Kennedy lived a private life as a mother, lawyer, author and philanthropist. But that all changed when she endorsed Barack Obama during the Democratic presidential primary.

When Hillary Clinton was picked to be Secretary of State, the rumor mill began to churn that Kennedy, the daughter of former President John F. Kennedy and niece of former New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy, was a possible successor.

Kennedy stayed quiet, as the buzz around her intensified over her political lineage, fund raising potential and close ties to Obama.

In mid-December, she called Governor David Paterson and said indeed, the rumors were are a reality. Immediately seen as the frontrunner, some questioned if the daughter of Camelot was riding on her family's coat tails.

She joined a crowded field vying for the job, including many seasoned lawmakers, and some wondered if she had paid her political dues.

She had big names behind her like Mayor Michael Bloomberg, but that helped fuel criticism she was a Manhattan elitist, especially outside the city. She embarked on a quick upstate listening tour, where she broke her silence with the press.

"Now it's time, I think, with the problems that we have for me to really step forward and do more," said Kennedy.

Cameras followed her every move, including a lunch with the Reverend Al Sharpton in Harlem.

Then on December 26, Kennedy held her first, and what would be only television interview on NY1.

Kennedy: When this opportunity came along, it seemed like, you know, I really ought to give this some thought. This was something that I always thought would be one day, you know, in the future some time.

NY1 Anchor Dominic Carter: So in the past you did see politics in your future?

Kennedy: Well, along maybe, like, maybe one day.

In this and other interviews, she was criticized for her delivery and what some saw as an air of entitlement.

Public sentiment began to waver, as opinion polls showed her trailing State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

"I can say definitively I didn't know who the next senator from New York is right now," said Paterson on January 19.

Speculation on who Paterson would pick for the job hit a crescendo, until Kennedy's bombshell announcement early Thursday that she was pulling out of the race for "personal reasons."

But during her interview with NY1, she said she was in it for the long haul.

"I understand exactly what's involved and I would work as hard as necessary to deliver for the people of new york," she said.

Her government job was not to be, but it's doubtful that she will be able to return easily to her private life just yet, as questions swirl over how and why Kennedy dropped out.