Tatiana Schlossberg, the daughter of Caroline Kennedy and granddaughter of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, has revealed her terminal cancer diagnosis in a poignant essay published in *The New Yorker*. The 35-year-old journalist disclosed that she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia last year, shortly after the birth of her second child.
In her essay, Schlossberg described how doctors identified the cancer following a routine check-up where they discovered an abnormality in her white blood cell count. She noted, “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. I didn’t feel sick. I was actually one of the healthiest people I knew.”
Schlossberg’s diagnosis was specifically linked to a rare genetic mutation known as Inversion 3. Following the birth of her daughter, she spent five weeks receiving care at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City before transferring to Memorial Sloan Kettering for a bone marrow transplant. Afterward, she began undergoing chemotherapy at home.
In January, Schlossberg joined a clinical trial for CAR-T-cell therapy, a form of immunotherapy aimed at treating certain blood cancers. Despite these efforts, her doctors indicated she may have only about one year to live.
Reflecting on her experience, she expressed profound gratitude for the support of her family. “George did everything for me that he possibly could. He talked to all the doctors and insurance people that I didn’t want to talk to; he slept on the floor of the hospital,” she explained, referring to her husband. She also acknowledged that her parents and siblings have been a constant presence, helping care for her children and providing emotional support during her hospital stays.
In her essay, Schlossberg poignantly noted the impact of her illness on her family. “They have held my hand unflinchingly while I have suffered, trying not to show their pain and sadness in order to protect me from it. This has been a great gift, even though I feel their pain every day,” she stated.
As she contemplates her legacy, Schlossberg emphasized the importance of her children and the memories she wishes to create with them. “Sometimes I trick myself into thinking I’ll remember this forever, I’ll remember this when I’m dead. Obviously, I won’t. But since I don’t know what death is like and there’s no one to tell me what comes after it, I’ll keep pretending. I will keep trying to remember,” she concluded.
Schlossberg’s candid reflection on her battle with cancer highlights not only her personal struggle but also the broader implications of living with a terminal illness. Her essay resonates as a reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring strength of familial bonds during challenging times.