UPDATE: The Kennedy family is in mourning following the untimely death of Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy (JFK), who passed away at the age of 35 after a courageous battle with acute myeloid leukaemia. Her death, confirmed by the JFK Library Foundation, has sent shockwaves through a family already marked by profound loss.
Tatiana died earlier today, leaving behind two young children and her mother, Caroline Kennedy, who has faced a lifetime of heartache. In a heartfelt statement, the family expressed, “Our beautiful Tatiana passed away this morning. She will always be in our hearts.” This tragic news comes just months after Tatiana announced her diagnosis while giving birth to her daughter in May 2024.
In a powerful essay for The New Yorker, she revealed the devastating news of her illness, detailing how doctors discovered her cancer following routine blood tests. “I did not, could not, believe that they were talking about me,” she wrote, recalling feeling healthy even as she faced the diagnosis of a rare mutation known as Inversion 3.
Tatiana underwent extensive treatment, including chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and two bone marrow transplants, with her sister Rose as a donor for the first. Despite these efforts, doctors warned that they could only extend her life for “a year, maybe,” leading her to join a clinical trial for CAR-T cell therapy earlier this year.
The emotional toll of her illness weighed heavily on Tatiana, particularly during her time away from her children. She poignantly reflected on the impact of her absence, stating, “I was gone for almost half of her first year of life. I don’t know who, really, she thinks I am.” These sentiments resonate deeply within the Kennedy family, who have endured a legacy of tragedy.
The so-called Kennedy Curse has long haunted the family, starting with the death of JFK’s eldest brother, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., during World War II. Since then, the family has faced numerous losses, including the assassination of JFK in 1963 and the murder of his brother Robert F. Kennedy in 1968.
Tatiana’s death adds another chapter to this ongoing saga of grief. Caroline Kennedy, who has lost her father, mother, brother, and now daughter, is left to navigate yet another personal tragedy. The family has yet to announce funeral arrangements.
The emotional weight of this loss is compounded by Tatiana’s criticism of political developments within her family, particularly regarding her second cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appointment as U.S. health secretary and his controversial stance on vaccines.
As the Kennedy family grapples with this latest heartbreak, many are left to reflect on the profound impact of loss and legacy. Tatiana Schlossberg’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life, especially within a family that has faced so much adversity.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops. The Kennedy family, known for their public resilience, now faces the challenge of healing from yet another heartbreaking chapter.
