Tatiana Schlossberg Reveals Terminal Cancer Diagnosis
Granddaughter of JFK Announces Health Battle
In a heartbreaking essay published in The New Yorker, Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of the late President John F. Kennedy, revealed that she has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and has less than a year to live. The 35-year-old journalist shared the news shortly after giving birth to her second child, a baby girl, in May 2024. Doctors noted irregularities in her white blood cell count just minutes after the birth.
Personal Reflections on Family and Legacy
Schlossberg described her disbelief upon receiving the diagnosis, stating, “I had a son whom I loved more than anything and a newborn I need to take care of.” Following numerous clinical trials and two organ transplants, her physician informed her that he could only guarantee her survival for an additional year.
As the second child of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg, Tatiana expressed her feelings of guilt over the burden her illness places on her mother and family. “For my whole life, I have tried to be good, to be a good student and a good sister and a good daughter,” she reflected, “and now I have added a new tragedy to her life, to our family’s life and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.”
The Weight of Family History
Caroline Kennedy, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Australia, has endured multiple family tragedies, including the assassination of her father, John F. Kennedy, on November 22, 1963-the same day her daughter published her essay revealing her terminal illness. Caroline has also faced the loss of her uncle Bobby Kennedy, who was killed in 1968, and her mother Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who succumbed to cancer in 1994. Additionally, her brother John F. Kennedy Jr. died in a plane crash in 1999.
Concerns Over Health Policies
In her essay, Schlossberg also addressed her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Servstarts. She criticized his decision to cut funding for mRNA vaccine research and cancel numerous National Institutes of Health grants, fearing that such actions may adversely affect women’s healthcare treatments. She recounted her experience with misoprostol-used to manage postpartum hemorrhage-highlighting current FDA reviews related to medication abortion that could impact availability for women in need.
Cherishing Moments with Family
Schlossberg emphasized the importance of the time she has left with her family. In her reflections, she focused on creating lasting memories for her husband, Dr. George Moran, and their two young children. “Mostly I try to live and be with them now,” she noted. Schlossberg expressed her determination to remember these moments and hopes they will stay with her beyond her life.
Despite the overwhelming challenges she faces, Tatiana Schlossberg remains committed to cherishing her family and combating her diagnosis with resilience and love.