Oldest child of late Sen. Ted Kennedy dies

WASHINGTON ­-- Former Rep. Patrick Kennedy says his sister Kara, the oldest child of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, has died.

Kara Kennedy was 51.

Patrick Kennedy, a former congressman from Rhode Island, says his sister died Friday while at a Washington-area health club.

Kara Kennedy, the oldest of three children, was a lung cancer survivor. Doctors removed a malignant tumor in 2003.

Patrick Kennedy tells The Associated Press that "she's with dad." Their father died in 2009.

Patrick Kennedy says he thinks his sister's cancer treatment "took quite a toll on her and weakened her physically." He says "her heart gave out."

He also says his sister loved to exercise.