Tatiana Schlossberg, the 35-year-old daughter of Caroline Kennedy and granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy, has revealed she is facing a terminal diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia following the birth of her second child in May 2024. In a moving essay published in The New Yorker, Schlossberg shared that her illness came as a shock—her doctors detected abnormal white blood cell counts just hours after she gave birth, ultimately diagnosed as leukemia with a rare mutation called Inversion 3.
A Young Mother’s Battle
Schlossberg’s doctors are currently giving her less than a year to live after standard treatments, such as chemotherapy and a bone-marrow transplant, were unsuccessful in providing a lasting cure. Despite initial remission after a stem cell transplant from her sister Rose, Tatiana relapsed and has since pursued experimental clinical trials, including CAR-T-cell therapy. Her essay details the physical and emotional toll of illness, balancing her hopes as a mother and wife with the realities of advanced cancer.
Family and Support
The Schlossberg family—including Caroline Kennedy, her siblings Rose and Jack, and her husband George Moran—have been steadfast caregivers during Tatiana’s treatment, helping to raise her two children and offering daily companionship in hospitals and at home. She expresses gratitude for their unwavering presence, acknowledging the pain and sadness they carry and describing their support as a profound gift amidst her fight with cancer.
Reflections and Resolve
Tatiana’s announcement highlights recent losses across the Kennedy family, yet her focus remains on cherishing the time she has left, living in the moment, and creating new memories with loved ones. Her essay offers a candid perspective on the vulnerability and resilience required to face a terminal illness, raising awareness of acute myeloid leukemia and the importance of ongoing medical research in the fight against cancer.