JFK’s Granddaughter Tatiana Schlossberg Reveals Cancer Diagnosis
Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, has publicly shared her diagnosis of terminal cancer. In an essay published in The New Yorker on November 22, 2024, coinciding with the 62nd anniversary of JFK’s assassination, Schlossberg revealed that she has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. The 35-year-old, who is the daughter of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg, learned of her condition shortly after the birth of her second child in May 2024.
Schlossberg described her experience leading up to the diagnosis, explaining that doctors initially detected an imbalance in her white blood cell count. She noted, “A normal white-blood-cell count is around four to eleven thousand cells per microliter. Mine was a hundred and thirty-one thousand cells per microliter.” Following further examination, it was confirmed that she had a rare genetic mutation known as Inversion 3.
Facing a Challenging Diagnosis
In her essay, Schlossberg expressed her disbelief at the diagnosis, stating that she had always considered herself a healthy individual. “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,” she shared. “I wasn’t sick. I didn’t feel sick. I was actually one of the healthiest people I knew.”
Schlossberg detailed her treatment plan, which revealed the severity of her condition. “I could not be cured by a standard course,” she explained. She faces a rigorous treatment regimen that includes several months of chemotherapy aimed at reducing the number of blast cells in her bone marrow. Following this initial phase, she will require a bone-marrow transplant that could potentially cure her. “After the transplant, I would probably need more chemotherapy, on a regular basis, to try and prevent the cancer from returning,” she added.
The announcement has drawn significant attention, not only due to Schlossberg’s familial ties but also because it highlights the harsh realities of cancer diagnoses that many families face.
As she navigates this challenging journey, Tatiana Schlossberg’s candid sharing of her experience serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictability of health and the strength required to confront such a diagnosis.
