Tatiana Schlossberg Reveals Terminal Cancer Diagnosis at 35

Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, has shared devastating news about her health. The 35-year-old environmental journalist revealed that she has been diagnosed with terminal blood cancer, specifically myeloid leukaemia, and has been given less than a year to live. This announcement coincided with the 62nd anniversary of JFK’s assassination and was detailed in her essay for the New Yorker magazine.

Schlossberg’s diagnosis came just hours after she gave birth to her daughter in May 2024. During a routine check-up at the hospital, her doctor identified an unusual white blood cell count, prompting further tests that confirmed the diagnosis. In her article, Schlossberg expressed her disbelief, stating, “I did not – could not – believe that they were talking about me. I had swum a mile in the pool the day before, nine months pregnant. I wasn’t sick.”

Describing her health journey, Schlossberg revealed that she has undergone two bone marrow transplants and multiple rounds of chemotherapy. As of early 2025, she had enrolled in a clinical trial for CAR-T-cell therapy, an innovative form of immunotherapy that has shown promise against certain blood cancers. Despite these efforts, she was informed that her time is limited, with her doctor estimating she might have “a year, maybe” left.

Reflecting on her diagnosis, Schlossberg voiced deep concerns about her children. She lamented, “My first thought was that my kids… wouldn’t remember me.” Her struggles with health have prevented her from fully engaging in her daughter’s early life, a situation she finds profoundly painful. “I couldn’t change her diaper or give her a bath or feed her, all because of the risk of infection after my transplants,” she wrote.

The impact of her condition extends beyond her immediate family. Schlossberg expressed guilt for adding “a new tragedy” to her mother, Caroline Kennedy‘s, life. Throughout her life, she has strived to be a source of support for her family, and the weight of her illness has intensified her feelings of responsibility.

Schlossberg’s reflections also touched on broader themes, including the so-called “Kennedy Curse,” which has haunted her family for generations. The family has experienced a series of tragic events, including the assassination of JFK in Dallas on November 22, 1963, and the killing of her uncle, Robert F. Kennedy, in 1968. These events have led to lingering speculation about a curse afflicting America’s most prominent political family.

In her essay, Schlossberg criticized her second cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who serves as Secretary of Health and Human Services, for his stance on cancer funding and vaccine skepticism. She expressed her disappointment, stating that his actions have strained the healthcare system that she has come to rely on. “As I spent more and more of my life under the care of doctors, nurses, and researchers… I watched as Bobby cut nearly a half billion dollars for research into mRNA vaccines,” she wrote.

Schlossberg’s reflections are a poignant reminder of the personal toll that illness can take on families, particularly those burdened by a history of tragedy. Her story highlights not only her courage in facing a devastating diagnosis but also the broader implications of healthcare policies and the importance of funding for medical research.

As she navigates this challenging journey, Schlossberg remains a voice for those affected by similar struggles, calling attention to the urgent need for support and understanding within the healthcare system.