The granddaughter of former US President John F. Kennedy has announced her diagnosis with an aggressive form of cancer, stating she has been given less than a year to live. Tatiana Schlossberg, the daughter of former US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, shared the news in an essay published in The New Yorker on Saturday, coinciding with the 62nd anniversary of her grandfather's assassination.
Schlossberg, a mother of two and climate journalist, has been an outspoken opponent of her relative Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s position as US health secretary under President Donald Trump. In her essay, she expressed her dismay at watching her second cousin be confirmed for the post while she battled her illness.
According to her essay, titled A Battle With My Blood, she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia shortly after giving birth in May 2024. Reflecting on her previously active lifestyle, which included running and skiing, she ahs shared her struggles with treatment that has included chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.
Schlossberg recounts the moment her doctor informed her that he could keep her alive for a year, leading to profound distress about leaving her children, a son born in 2022 and a daughter born recently, without memories of her. Her family legacy, marked by both triumph and tragedy, adds layers to her narrative as she grapples with her situation.
Feeling the weight of her family's history, she writes about her concerns for her mother’s emotional pain due to yet another family tragedy, and expresses deep frustration upon seeing her cousin's health secretary appointment, stating it undermines the healthcare system she relies on.
Earlier this month, her brother Jack Schlossberg announced his intent to run for Congress. In supportive solidarity, he shared Tatiana's poignant essay online with a reminder of life’s brevity, emphasizing the lasting impact of their familial legacy in American politics.
