The Other Man EPB: John F. Kennedy Jr., Carolyn Bessette, and Me

by Michael Bergin

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2026

About the author

Michael John Bergin is considered to have been one of the first males to have achieved supermodel status, previously reserved for women such as Cindy Crawford, Elle Macpherson, Naomi Campbell, and Iman.

Bergin attended the University of Connecticut and is perhaps best known as Mark Wahlberg's successor in Calvin Klein's racy series of black and white underwear ads. His 6' 1" frame and washboard abs (widely cited as his professional signature) gained international exposure in print ads and, notably, on a 96' X 70' billboard in New York City's Times Square.

While contracted to Calvin Klein, Michael met the late Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, a Calvin Klein publicist, whom he dated seriously. After that relationship fell apart due to career pressures, she went on to marry John F. Kennedy, Jr., with whom she later perished in a fatal plane crash. In early 2004, Bergin published a book about his relationship with Bessette, The Other Man, claiming that they continued a sexual affair during the time Bessette was dating Kennedy and during their marriage. He was arrested for drunk driving in 2004, on the 5th anniversary of Bessette-Kennedy's death.

Reviews

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grew up during this time and lived outside NYC. I was quite familiar with Carolyn Bassette Kennedy and JFK, Jr., although I didn’t worship them or follow them that closely. It would have been near impossible to not see magazines and newspapers covering their every move. Just felt it was a pressure filled world and one hard to live in. NYC usually is a place to lose yourself in, do your own thing, especially in the 90’s before Social Media. Currently, there is a Romanticization of their “Love Story”. Manhattan has also been cleaned up and excess of that time is washed away. Being in the Fashion Industry with HIV and friends dying is not brought up much. Michael, being a male model, mentions over and over he is straight and loves women. That does sound right. Men had to reinforce again and again they were straight whether true or not.

This is not a well written book, so don’t go into it for that. It does give a glimpse into a man who dated Carolyn for several years, which was sort of interesting. I think people will read this differently. Both were young, just getting started. It seems Michael really loved Carolyn. She seemed to want him close at times and others to kind of use him. Yet, no matter what happens Michael is there to always take up with Carolyn again. He acts like he had absolutely no choices. He did of course, and when she hurt him, his choice usually was to drink heavily and find a replacement woman. She, I think wanted to keep him close, someone always there to talk and make her feel safe. Seems she had some volatility and this was not the relationship where she was going to end up with the boy. Yet, sort of understand when that young and living alone in the city, it takes a while to grow up. I don’t think I believe the last part of the book. At the time it was written, Carolyn has died and it doesn’t seem likely. Some of the information Michael shares, although probably true, I was surprised he thought her mother would thank him.

So, if you want a bit more information, read this and take it with a grain of salt.

[Carol Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

let the man speak

We are meant to meet those who teach us, live us and forgive our imperfections. I think this is a really tragic take but we all make our choices. We have to stand by them, face our fears and do what’s right. In the end if you can’t absolutely say what you want, don’t act on it yourself, you are bound to be miserable. I don’t think Carolyn really love John. He was just a romantic idea. Carolyn grappled with her conscience and true feelings and it made her crazy.

[Kristy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Highly recommend!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book -- could not put it down! I really enjoyed learning about Michael Berlin and his relationship with Carolyn Desserts Kennedy. Obviously, this book is from his perspective, but I believe he treated the content with great care and respect. I believe he truly loved Carolyn and wrote the book as a way to tell his story, but he never disrespected Carolyn or her memory.

[Paige Guns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average Writing, but seems like a nice guy

I read this book in about half a day. It was written by the person with whom Carolyn was involved with prior to her marriage. He seems like he was a very nice guy and she probably would’ve been better off with him. Can’t really say the reverse though. Fun read. I believe the author to be quite honest.

[Carolina Rionda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book because I was interested in his perspective. But the things he revealed were inappropriate especially for someone who claimed to have been in love with Carolyn Bessette and who had met her family. The lack of respect and discretion shows the kind of person he really is, complete oppossite of the person he portrays himself to be in the book.

[Christie France · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening

Eye openingly real. Proof that it may just be possible to love more than one person, but know one of them is your person.

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this wanting to like CBK but if what this author says is true, she was a troubled, unlikable woman. May she rest in peace.

[SUSAN FIVELAND · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can feel his voice. He is telling the true story, how she wasn't always truthful

[Jodi P · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a really good read!!

I enjoyed it. And the pics were very nice too. Too bad the pics were all the way at the end.

[Carol R Deegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read as it shows all that Ryan Murphy left out of his TV narrative. Carolyn was a troubled soul.