Tatiana Kennedy Watched Her Family Disappear — One Tragedy at a Time

Tatiana Schlloberg, born into the illustrious Kennedy family, carries a name steeped in history, glamour, and tragedy.

The Kennedy name often evokes images of privilege and ease, suggesting a life filled with Ivy League education, lavish brunches, and magazine features.

However, the reality for Tatiana has been starkly different.

Behind the glamour lies a family tree riddled with loss, accidents, and heart-wrenching goodbyes.

Over her 35 years, Tatiana bore witness to a series of tragedies that shaped her life and the lives of those around her.

Here are ten tragedies that profoundly affected Tatiana Schlloberg.

10. The Death of Her Grandmother, Jackie Kennedy

The first loss that shattered Tatiana’s world was that of her grandmother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

To the public, Jackie was a symbol of grace and resilience, a woman who captured the nation’s heart.

But to Tatiana, she was simply Grandma—a source of warmth, bedtime stories, and unconditional love.

Tatiana was just four years old when Jackie passed away on May 19, 1994, after a battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The news of Jackie’s illness began with a seemingly innocuous horse ride, but soon turned into a harrowing journey of chemotherapy and eventual decline.

Tatiana was too young to fully grasp the gravity of the situation, tucked away from the family’s grief as they gathered around Jackie’s bedside during her final moments.

For Tatiana, the loss of her grandmother marked the beginning of a series of heartbreaks that would follow, forever altering her perception of safety and stability.

 

9. Cousin Michael’s Fatal Skiing Accident

Less than three years later, on December 31, 1997, tragedy struck again.

The Kennedy family gathered in Aspen for their annual New Year’s celebration, a time typically filled with laughter and joy.

But that day, Tatiana, then seven years old, would witness the harsh reality of life’s unpredictability.

Michael Kennedy, the sixth son of Robert F.

Kennedy, was killed in a skiing accident while playing a dangerous game called ski football.

Despite warnings from the Aspen skiing company, Michael and his cousins continued their reckless play, leading to his tragic death when he collided with a tree.

For Tatiana, this incident shattered the illusion of invincibility that comes with youth and highlighted the fragility of life.

It was a painful introduction to the harsh truths of existence, marking another chapter in the Kennedy family saga of loss.

8. The Plane Crash That Killed Her Uncle John

Eighteen months later, on July 16, 1999, the Kennedy family faced another devastating blow.

John F. Kennedy Jr., Tatiana’s uncle and a beloved figure in American culture, was killed in a plane crash.

He was flying with his wife, Carolyn Bessette, and her sister, Lauren, when the aircraft disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean.

The family had gathered for a wedding celebration at the Kennedy compound, but John never arrived.

The subsequent search led to the grim discovery of the wreckage and the bodies of all three passengers.

Tatiana, still too young to fully comprehend the implications of such a loss, watched her mother, Caroline, bear the weight of grief as the last surviving member of her immediate family.

This tragedy further solidified Tatiana’s understanding that the Kennedy family was not immune to the same tragedies that befall others; they, too, were vulnerable to the whims of fate.

 

7. The Death of Her Great Uncle Ted Kennedy

As Tatiana continued to navigate her youth, she experienced yet another loss when her great uncle, Ted Kennedy, passed away on August 25, 2009.

Ted had been a constant figure in Tatiana’s life, providing support and comfort through the family’s many tragedies.

Diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, Ted fought valiantly but succumbed to the disease just 15 months after his diagnosis.

For Tatiana, losing Ted meant losing a pillar of strength in the family.

He had been a source of guidance and stability, and his death left a gaping hole in the family dynamic.

As the last of the Kennedy brothers, his passing signified the end of an era, and Tatiana felt the weight of history pressing down upon her.

6. The Death of Mary Richardson Kennedy

In 2012, Tatiana faced another quiet tragedy—the death of Mary Richardson Kennedy, her aunt and the ex-wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Mary’s struggles with mental health were well-documented, but her death by suicide on May 16, 2012, was a stark reminder of the invisible battles many face.

Tatiana grappled with the implications of Mary’s death, realizing that mental pain can often go unnoticed, even within a family that is constantly in the public eye.

This tragedy resonated deeply with Tatiana, sharpening her empathy and understanding of the complexities of suffering.

It illuminated the reality that not all tragedies are loud and dramatic; some are silent, hidden beneath the surface.

 

5. The Death of Cersa Kennedy Hill

By 2019, grief had become a familiar presence in Tatiana’s life.

On August 1, 2019, she learned of the untimely death of her second cousin, Cersa Kennedy Hill.

Cersa, just 22 years old, struggled with depression and substance abuse, ultimately succumbing to an accidental overdose.

Tatiana watched as the family mourned another young life lost too soon.

Cersa had been a bright, promising individual, engaged in her studies and passionate about making a difference.

Her death reinforced Tatiana’s understanding that tragedy does not discriminate; it can strike anyone, regardless of age or circumstance.

4. The Drowning of Mave and Gideon

Tragedy struck again on April 2, 2020, when Mave Kennedy Townsend McKeen and her eight-year-old son, Gideon, drowned in a boating accident.

The family had been sheltering together during the COVID-19 pandemic when a simple game of kickball turned fatal.

Mave and Gideon ventured out into the water to retrieve a ball and were caught in strong winds that capsized their canoe.

Emergency responders were unable to reach them in time, resulting in another heartbreaking loss for Tatiana and the Kennedy family.

The randomness of this tragedy, occurring during a seemingly innocent family outing, left Tatiana grappling with the unpredictability of life and the fragility of familial bonds.

 

3. The Death of Ethel Kennedy

Ethel Kennedy, the matriarch of the Kennedy family, passed away on October 10, 2024, after suffering a stroke.

Ethel had been a constant presence in Tatiana’s life, embodying resilience and strength despite the numerous losses she had endured.

Her death marked the end of an era for the family, leaving Tatiana to reflect on the legacy of love and strength Ethel had fostered.

Ethel’s passing felt like the final thread unraveling in a family already burdened by grief.

For Tatiana, it underscored the reality that even the strongest among them could not escape the toll of time and tragedy.

2. Tatiana’s Own Cancer Diagnosis

On May 25, 2024, the day Tatiana gave birth to her second child, she should have been celebrating.

Instead, her joy was overshadowed by a shocking diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Despite feeling healthy and vibrant, routine blood work revealed a dangerously high white blood cell count, leading to a swift diagnosis that would change her life forever.

Tatiana faced a grueling battle against cancer, undergoing chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant.

Her journey was fraught with uncertainty, but she fought valiantly for her children and her future.

 

1. Tatiana’s Death

On December 30, 2025, Tatiana Schlloberg passed away at the age of 35, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, compassion, and courage.

In her final essay published in The New Yorker, she reflected on the weight of loss she had carried throughout her life and the tragedy she felt she now added to her family’s history.

Tatiana’s death was met with profound sadness from her family and the world.

She had become a voice for those who struggled with invisible pain, using her platform to advocate for compassion and understanding.

Her passing marked yet another chapter in the Kennedy family saga, but it also highlighted her refusal to let tragedy define her.

Tatiana’s story is one of endurance in the face of overwhelming loss.

Through her journey, she demonstrated that while tragedy may be an inescapable part of life, it is how we respond to it that defines us.

Her legacy will endure, not just as a member of the Kennedy family but as a beacon of hope for anyone grappling with their own struggles.