Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of John F. Kennedy, recently disclosed that she has been diagnosed with terminal blood cancer, specifically myeloid leukemia. The 35-year-old environmental journalist received this devastating news shortly after giving birth to her daughter last year.
In a poignant article for the New Yorker magazine, published on the 62nd anniversary of JFK’s assassination, Tatiana recounted how she was diagnosed in May 2024 when her doctor noticed an unusual white blood cell count during her hospital visit.
Despite considering herself one of the healthiest individuals she knew, Tatiana was shocked by the diagnosis of a rare mutation called Inversion 3 that standard treatments could not cure. Following her diagnosis, she underwent two bone-marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and blood transfusions. She also participated in a clinical trial for CAR-T-cell therapy at the beginning of 2025, a form of immunotherapy effective against certain blood cancers. Sadly, she has been informed that she has less than a year to live.
Expressing her distress over the impact on her family, Tatiana shared her feelings of guilt for adding another tragedy to her mother’s life, Caroline Kennedy. She lamented the fact that her illness prevented her from fully caring for her daughter during her early months.
Tatiana also criticized her second cousin, RFK Jr, who serves as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for reducing cancer funding and promoting vaccine skepticism. She expressed disappointment in his actions, stating they have strained the healthcare system she relied on for treatment.
The so-called “Kennedy Curse,” which has been associated with tragedies and misfortunes within the Kennedy family for years, has raised questions about a possible curse affecting the prominent family. The article also recounts the tragic deaths of various Kennedy family members, including John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, adding to the somber legacy of the family.
Despite the challenges she faces, Tatiana remains resilient and determined to navigate her illness with grace and courage, highlighting the strength and unity that define the Kennedy family amidst adversity.