Tatiana Schlossberg, JFK's Granddaughter, Reveals Terminal Cancer Diagnosis

Sun Nov 23 2025 05:33:18 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a heartfelt essay published on the anniversary of her grandfather's assassination, Tatiana Schlossberg shares her struggle with an aggressive form of cancer, reflecting on her life and family.

Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of John F. Kennedy, has publicly shared her diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia, revealing that she has been given less than a year to live. In an essay, she reflects on her life, her family's legacy, and the impact of her illness, including her concerns about her young children. The announcement coincided with the 62nd anniversary of her grandfather's assassination, and comes amid her critique of her cousin RFK Jr.'s recent political role.

Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of former US President John F. Kennedy, has announced her diagnosis with an aggressive form of cancer, revealing that at just 35 years old, she has been given less than a year to live.

In an essay published in The New Yorker on Saturday—coinciding with the 62nd anniversary of her grandfather's assassination—Schlossberg, who is also a mother of two and a climate journalist, opened up about her health struggles. She has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia after giving birth in May 2024.

Despite having led a previously active lifestyle that included running and skiing, Schlossberg shared how she was blindsided by her illness. Her diagnosis has elicited a deep personal reflection, particularly on the impact her potential passing would have on her young children, whose faces, she notes, 'live permanently on the inside of my eyelids.'

Schlossberg described undergoing treatment that includes a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy, but after a recent clinical trial, doctors indicated that she may only have a year left. 'My first thought was that my kids wouldn't remember me,' she wrote, alluding to the emotional weight of her situation.

Her essay also touches on the broader familial and political context, as she grappled with the distress of her second cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr. being appointed as the health secretary under former President Donald Trump, saying she watched from her hospital bed as he was confirmed despite a lack of relevant experience.

In her candid reflections, Schlossberg expresses a mix of familial love and guilt for further adding tragedy to her family’s history, known for both its political prominence and personal losses. Her brother, Jack Schlossberg, is currently running for Congress, and has echoed her sentiments by sharing her essay online with the caption, 'Life is short - let it rip.'

The essay not only sheds light on her battle with cancer but also serves as a poignant reminder of the generational trauma and resilience within the Kennedy family.