Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of former US President John F. Kennedy, has shared heartbreaking news about her health, revealing that she has been diagnosed with terminal blood cancer and has less than a year to live. The 35-year-old environmental journalist disclosed that she was diagnosed with myeloid leukemia, a form of blood cancer, shortly after giving birth to her daughter last year.
In a poignant article published in the New Yorker magazine on the anniversary of JFK’s assassination, Tatiana recounted how she received the devastating diagnosis in May 2024 when her doctor noticed abnormalities in her white blood cell count during her hospital stay. Despite considering herself one of the healthiest individuals she knew, she was blindsided by the diagnosis of a rare mutation called Inversion 3, for which conventional treatments were deemed ineffective.
Following her diagnosis, Tatiana underwent multiple treatments, including two bone-marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and blood transfusions. At the beginning of 2025, she participated in a clinical trial for CAR-T-cell therapy, an innovative form of immunotherapy used in combating certain blood cancers. Despite her unwavering fight against the disease, she recently received the devastating news that her condition is terminal, with a prognosis of less than a year to live.
Expressing her anguish over the impact of her illness on her family, Tatiana shared her feelings of guilt for adding another layer of tragedy to her mother’s life. She reflected on the challenges of not being able to fully care for her daughter due to the infection risks associated with her treatments, lamenting the missed moments and uncertainties about her child’s future memories of her.
Furthermore, Tatiana criticized her second cousin, RFK Jr, who serves as Secretary of Health and Human Services, for his decisions to reduce cancer funding and promote vaccine skepticism. She expressed disappointment in his actions, emphasizing the strain they placed on the healthcare system that she relied upon for her treatment and care.
The tragic narrative of the Kennedy family, often associated with the so-called “Kennedy Curse,” has been marred by a series of untimely deaths and misfortunes over the years. From JFK’s assassination in 1963 to the subsequent tragedies that befell other family members, the legacy of the Kennedys has been shadowed by a string of heartbreak and loss.
Despite the challenges she faces, Tatiana remains resolute in her battle against the disease and in her efforts to cherish the time she has left with her loved ones. As she confronts the harsh realities of her prognosis, her story serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.