Caroline Kennedy, the cousin of Robert Kennedy Jr. and daughter of John F. Kennedy, has been in the public eye for most of her life. Part of it, of course, was the family dynasty she was born into, and part was the international positions she held as ambassador to Japan and then to Australia.
However, she somehow always managed to keep her personal life private. And her children with Jack Schlossberg, Rose, Tatiana, and Jack Schlossberg, have always done the same. But on November 22, Tatiana pulled back that curtain in a significant way. The 35-year-old penned an essay for The New Yorker, bravely revealing that she’s battling acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
According to the Mayo Clinic, AML “Is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow.” It’s also very uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with it before the age of 45.
GettyFacing Terminal Prognosis After Giving Birth: Tatiana Schlossberg’s Story
Tatiana had just given birth to her daughter on May 22, 2024, when she was given the diagnosis. In her essay, she recalled that bizarre morning. Just hours after her daughter was born, the doctors told her that her “blood count looked strange.”
“It could just be something related to pregnancy and delivery,” Tatiana wrote. “The doctor said, or it could be leukemia. ‘It’s not leukemia,’ I told George. ‘What are they talking about?”
She recounted briefly seeing her two-year-old, who her parents had brought to the hospital to meet his sister, before she was whisked away to another floor for labs. There was no mistaking it; she had AML.
She writes about the past year and a half of treatments: chemotherapy, bone-marrow transplants, and immunotherapy. She has been in and out of hospitals, but the cancer keeps coming back.
“During the latest clinical trial, my doctor told me that he could keep me alive for a year, maybe,” she wrote.
As She Battles AML, She Still Dreams of Ocean Book
Before getting diagnosed with AML, Tatiana worked as an environmental journalist. Previously, she worked as a science and climate reporter for The New York Times. She has also penned articles for The Washington Post, Vanity Fair, Bloomberg, and other publications.
“My plan, had I not gotten sick, was to write a book about the oceans—their destruction, but also the possibilities they offer,” she wrote.
GettyEven on her deathbed, Tatiana is well aware of the pain her family, her mother, has been through, and worries how her own death will add to it.
“For my whole life, I have tried to be good, to be a good student and a good sister and a good daughter, and to protect my mother and never make her upset or angry,” she wrote. “Now I have added a new tragedy to her life, to our family’s life, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.”
Another Kennedy tragedy!
This is such a sad story. I pray that God will heal your boy & your mind. Keep the FAITH, stay prayerful & believe. God has the FINAL word!
oh so sorry to hear this tatania, hugs to you, yuor mom, dad, sis,and brother please keep your chin up and pray talk to god please he does amazing things.. tell your mom caroline hello ive watched her n john jr along jackie n john when running for president in 1960s i respect your family name and all again hugs to all of you from langdon, north dakota!!
Because you are a kennedy, this prognosis is shocking and of course sad. Perhaps your type of leukemia will be brought to the public attention and perhaps more research that is needed will be done. Prayers for you and your family, and medical research will continue.. Stay positive and know you are being prayed for.
Well that brought tears to my eyes , I am so sorry, I cried when your grandpa got shot , I cried for Jon Jon and his wife ,now you . I wish for you a miracle. Linda
My prayers are for you and your family. I have been very fond of your family for many years. I love my given name even more when your Grandmother became the First Lady. You come from a Humanitarian Family, be very Proud. Life steps are never easy, as you will know, but remember GOD IS WITH YOU AND GOD IS WATCHING OVER YOU, HE IS TAKING CARE OF YOU,REMEMBER ALSO, IT IS NOT OVER UNTIL GOD SAYS IT IS OVER 🎚️♥️ Continue to LOVE ON YOUR FAMILY, hold your babies tighter, look deeper into your husband eyes, feel his love. You are here on earth in the Presence OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD, this is GOOD NEWS, YOURS 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Yes, you are going through a season right now, but remember, you are not alone. I can say this, I am in a season. Continue to PRAY, I am PRAYING TOO 🎚️♥️😇
Titania,, people you do not know including me, are praying for you.
Keep holding to hope. We are with you, but more importantly,so is God.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻♥️♥️♥️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Dear Caroline and family,
My husband and I are very sad about how much loss you have had in your life, and now the worst. To lose
a child is horrifying ! Nothing is quite as bad as! And so we hope that with all the love that surrounds you there will be the possibility in the future to have some peace and maybe even happiness . Amen !