Journalist and former First Lady of California Maria Shriver has publicly shared her profound grief following the death of her cousin, Tatiana Schlossberg, who passed away at the age of 35 after a battle with cancer.
A Devastating Loss for a Prominent Family
Tatiana Schlossberg, the daughter of Caroline Kennedy and granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy, died on Tuesday 30 December 2025. Her passing came just weeks after she bravely disclosed her terminal cancer diagnosis in a poignant essay for The New Yorker in November.
Shriver, 70, took to Instagram to honour her "sweet, beloved" cousin, posting a series of photographs alongside a lengthy and emotional statement. "I return to this space today to pay tribute to my sweet, beloved Tatiana, who left this earth today," she wrote. The author and NBC News special anchor described Schlossberg as someone who "loved life" and "fought like hell to try to save it."
Shriver's Emotional Tribute and Praise for Caroline Kennedy
In her post, Shriver expressed the incomprehensible nature of the loss. "I cannot make sense of this. I cannot make any sense of it at all. None. Zero," she stated candidly. She highlighted Schlossberg's professional accomplishments as a respected environmental journalist, noting she "used her words to educate others about the earth and how to save it."
Shriver reserved special praise for Schlossberg's mother, her own cousin Caroline Kennedy, the former US Ambassador to Japan. "My heart has always been with my cousin Caroline ever since we were little kids," Shriver wrote. "My entire being is with her now. What a rock she has been." She extended her thoughts to Schlossberg's immediate family, including her husband George Moran and their two young children, Eddie and Josie.
Remembering a Life of Light and Intelligence
Concluding her tribute, Shriver painted a vivid picture of Schlossberg's character. She remembered her as "the light, the humour, the joy" and described her as "smart, wicked smart, as they say, and sassy." Shriver added that Schlossberg was a "fun, funny, loving, caring, perfect daughter, sister, mother, cousin, niece, friend, all of it."
She made a promise to the family, writing, "Those of us left behind will make sure Eddie and Josie know what a beautiful, courageous spirit their mother was and will always be." Shriver also urged her followers to read Schlossberg's "extraordinary" final essay in The New Yorker, which detailed her experience with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a rare and aggressive cancer of the blood and bone marrow.
In a final, reflective note, Shriver encouraged everyone to cherish their own lives. "May we all hold Tatiana’s family in our collective embrace... and may each of you who read this know how lucky you are to be alive right now," she wrote. "Please pause and honour your life. It truly is such a gift."
