The granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy, Tatiana Schlossberg, has died at the age of 35 following a battle with a rare and aggressive blood cancer. Her passing was confirmed by her family in a statement shared via the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.
A Devastating Diagnosis After Childbirth
In a deeply personal essay written for The New Yorker before her death, Schlossberg revealed the heartbreaking impact her illness had on her role as a mother. She was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in May 2024, a discovery made only after routine blood tests following the birth of her second child, a daughter.
She described the surreal moment of her diagnosis, stating she "did not — could not — believe that they were talking about me." The immediate need for intensive treatment, including chemotherapy and a bone-marrow transplant, drastically altered her early days with her newborn.
The Agony of Separation from Her Children
Schlossberg's medical condition created an insurmountable barrier between her and her infant daughter. Due to the extreme risk of infection following her transplants, she was unable to perform the most basic acts of maternal care.
"I didn’t ever really get to take care of my daughter—I couldn’t change her diaper or give her a bath or feed her, all because of the risk of infection after my transplants," she wrote. The writer and environmental journalist added, "I was gone for almost half of her first year of life. I don’t know who, really, she thinks I am."
She also shared a poignant message about her son, hoping he would remember her for more than her illness. "My son knows that I am a writer and that I write about our planet. Since I’ve been sick, I remind him a lot, so that he will know that I was not just a sick person," she said.
Family Tributes and Public Mourning
Her death was announced on Tuesday in a heartfelt Instagram post from the JFK Library. The statement read: "Our beautiful Tatiana passed away this morning. She will always be in our hearts." It was signed by her husband, George Moran, their children, and her immediate family.
Schlossberg, who married George Moran in 2017, is survived by their young son and daughter. Following the news, tributes poured in on social media, with many highlighting her courage and intellect. One user described her as having lived "with purpose, intellect, and courage," while others expressed condolences for the "devastating loss."
Acute myeloid leukaemia is a rare cancer of the blood and bone marrow, with only around four in every 100,000 people diagnosed each year in the UK. In her essay, titled 'Battle With My Blood', Schlossberg confirmed she had undergone all common treatments for the disease. Her candid reflection on mortality, motherhood, and identity in the face of a terminal illness has left a powerful and enduring legacy.
