Tatiana Schlossberg, daughter of Caroline Kennedy, has opened up about her battle with terminal cancer. In a moving essay for The New Yorker, she shared that she has acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a rare mutation known as Inversion 3.
Her diagnosis came on May 25, 2024, the same day she welcomed her second child. After noticing an unusual white blood cell count during her recovery, doctors conducted further tests, leading to her unexpected cancer diagnosis. She expressed disbelief, saying she had always viewed herself as “one of the healthiest people” around.
Acute myeloid leukemia starts in the bone marrow and spreads quickly to the blood. Common symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, and night sweats. There are various subtypes of AML, each influencing a patient’s outlook. The subtype Schlossberg has, Inversion 3, is considered an unfavorable sign.
After spending five weeks in Columbia Presbyterian hospital, she was able to start chemotherapy at home. Later, she transitioned to Memorial Sloan Kettering for a bone marrow transplant, followed by a lengthy recovery period. This past January, she joined a clinical trial for CAR T-cell therapy, a cutting-edge treatment that re-engineers the body’s immune cells to fight cancer.
Throughout her struggle, she’s received unwavering support from her family. “My parents and siblings have been with me almost every day for the past year and a half,” she shared. Her brother, Jack Schlossberg, is now running for Congress, aiming for a seat in New York that former Rep. Jerry Nadler recently vacated.
Despite multiple treatments, Tatiana’s cancer keeps returning. Her doctor recently told her he might only be able to extend her life for another year. This sobering news has made her focus on being present for her children. She reflected, “My kids wouldn’t remember me.”
As a writer and former science reporter for The New York Times, Schlossberg has also tackled topics like climate change. Her essay’s timing coincides with the 62nd anniversary of her grandfather, John F. Kennedy’s assassination, underscoring a history of tragedy in the Kennedy family.
This ongoing struggle, while intensely personal, echoes a broader narrative. According to the American Cancer Society, about 21,000 new cases of AML will be diagnosed this year alone, highlighting the importance of early detection and ongoing research.
Tatiana Schlossberg’s story is a reminder of the resilience needed in the face of difficult challenges and the support that family and community can provide in tough times.
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