Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, has died at the age of 35. She lost her battle against a rare type of terminal leukemia. As one of the first influential climate change activists and powerful environmental journalists, she inspired a generation of environmentalists to follow in her footsteps. Her family shared news of her death earlier today, saying they were heartbroken by the loss.
Schlossberg’s passing is an especially tender time for her family and allies. She was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia with a rare mutation commonly found in older patients. When she went for a check-up in May of 2024, her doctor remarked on her bloodwork that her white blood cell count appeared elevated. That diagnosis came after the birth of her second child.
A Legacy of Activism
Tatiana Schlossberg is probably best known for being the granddaughter of JFK. In addition to her commitment to art, she is an advocate for environmental causes. As a journalist, she did much to advance the fight against climate change. She used her platform to better educate the public on urgent environmental challenges we face today.
In early November 2025, she announced her prognosis with leukaemia in an essay she published with The New Yorker. The timing couldn’t have been more opportune, as it marked the 62nd anniversary of her grandfather’s assassination. In this influential opinion piece, she broke ranks with her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s anti-vaccine policies. She said his actions risk “irreparable harm … to cancer patients.”
“As I spent more and more of my life under the care of doctors, nurses, and researchers striving to improve the lives of others, I watched as Bobby cut nearly a half billion dollars for research into mRNA vaccines, technology that could be used against certain cancers,” – Tatiana Schlossberg
A Family Legacy
Born of Caroline Kennedy, former U.S. ambassador to Japan, and Edwin Schlossberg, designer-artist. As the younger daughter of Caroline, Tatiana frequently considered the importance of her family’s history and legacy.
Her family’s deep roots in American history are undeniable. JFK’s presidency and tragic assassination still resonate within American culture, making Tatiana’s passing a notable event not just for her family but for those who followed the Kennedy lineage.
Her family shared their grief in a heartfelt statement, saying, “Our beautiful Tatiana passed away this morning. She will always be in our hearts.”
Impact on Public Discourse
Tatiana Schlossberg’s life and work have been an inspiration and asset to our movement in illuminating the intersection of health care and environmental policy—for the better. Her activism inspired many to engage in dialogue about climate change and public health, advocating for rigorous scientific research and funding in these vital areas.
Her untimely death highlights the obvious but often overlooked day-to-day challenges that many cancer patients continue to confront. It underscores the need for continuous and robust investment in discovery research that can yield transformational advances in treatment.
