Book details teenage intern's White House affair with JFK

President John F. Kennedy, seen here in a file photo, had an 18-month affair with her, author Mimi Alford claims.

(CBS) "Once Upon a Secret," a steamy memoir detailing Mimi Alford's 18-month affair with President John F. Kennedy, hits store shelves on Wednesday.

Photos: JFK's White House Years
Photos: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Photos: JFK's Early Years

In the book, subtitled "My Affair With President John F. Kennedy and Its Aftermath," Alford claims she was a virgin when she started the affair as a 19-year-old White House intern. She last saw the president the week before he was assassinated in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963.

According to excepts published in the New York Post, the now 68-year-old grandmother described how the 45-year-old president, whom she met in the White House swimming pool, took her virginity in Jackie Kennedy's bedroom.

Alford, who was Mimi Beardsley when the affair took place, has said she wrote the memoir to give her side of the story after she was romantically linked with the assassinated president in several presidential biographies.

Kennedy's womanizing has long been a matter for biographers, though it was little known to the public at the time.

"Once Upon a Secret" is being published by Random House.

[BernadetteOk]

I am heartsick over the fact that Mimi Alford allowed herself to be used as a 19 year old girl, and now she has allowed herself to be used again as a 69 year old woman. Has she no idea what she is doing to herself? Has she not learned her lesson? What in the world is she thinking?

[wlhoppers]

Who the hell cares? Why is she coming forward with this now? Money-grubber.

[ssilver567]

Thank U wlhoppers, I just backed up your words. I hope many more do. So far, none of our current candidates for 2012 R vestal virgins. It's fun 2 read trash & tabloids; but the only person we R responsible for cleaning up is ourselves!

[cbs_bull]

Some presidents liked to use the power to screw around. And some liked to use the power to screw up our nation and have got thousands of Americans killed...

[Antayap]

Money hungry and wants her 15 minutes of fame. Really hope people are smart enough not to buy it. Agree with Thomas". Remarks .

[RORY6284]

Another **** out for "bucks". I'll bet Ms. Alford's children, and grandchildren. are very proud of her. P A T H E T I C !!!!!! She SHOULD donate every penny of any proceeds (of which I hope there are none) to helping children. Betcha she doesn't!! POS

[john5673]

It is no surprise to note that JFK had used the White House more often, on more young and old women and for a long long period for satisfying his sexual thrust. But in the Western world; when the Popes, Cardinals and Bishops underwear are dirty with *****, how you can blame dirty politicians and others.Only the non-white world laughed loudly when the Westerners start preaching about morality, civilization, character and humanity. At least I do not find any difference in sexual conduct of a dog and American in my 35 years of life in this country. If sexual offense is punishable in the Gospel's Court, many Americans will be directed to the HELL upon arrival.

[thomasmc1957]

Everyone who could have verified or refuted her claims is dead, and the woman is old enough to have dementia. So, it remains to be seen if this isn't just as fictitious as Stephen King's new novel, "11/23/1963".