Anderson Cooper 360 Tatiana Schlossberg, JFK's Granddaughter, Dies At 35
Dec 31, 2025
Tim Naftali, a renowned presidential historian, joins to reflect on the life and legacy of Tatiana Schlossberg, JFK's granddaughter, who bravely chronicled her battle with a rare leukemia. They discuss the Kennedy family's historical public service and the weight of familial tragedy that Tatiana embodies. The conversation also touches on the significance of her candid approach to health care advocacy. Additionally, there’s a preview of the inauguration of New York's first Muslim mayor, highlighting the evolving political landscape.
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Personal Account Of Diagnosis And Family Worries
- Tatiana Schlossberg wrote a New Yorker essay describing her leukemia diagnosis after childbirth and the near certainty of dying within a year.
- She worried her young children would mostly grow up on stories and pictures rather than memories of her.
Journalism As Public Service And Critique
- Tatiana embraced her Kennedy pedigree while forging an independent career as an environmental journalist and author.
- She used her platform to criticize public-health decisions and to spotlight the fragility of the U.S. health system.
Kennedy Tragedy Linked To Public Service
- Tim Naftali framed the Kennedys' repeated public tragedies as a record of public service and sacrifice.
- He argued the family's openness about suffering serves to advance public causes rather than seek pity.