Vanessa Trump, the former spouse of Donald Trump Jr. – eldest son of United States President Donald Trump – has publicly revealed that she has received a breast cancer diagnosis, sharing the news via her personal social media account.
In an Instagram post published Wednesday, Vanessa acknowledged that a cancer diagnosis is never an outcome anyone anticipates, confirming that she is currently collaborating closely with her medical care team to develop a tailored treatment strategy. She added that she already completed an initial medical procedure earlier this week, and respectfully asked the public and media to grant her privacy as she redirects her energy to prioritizing her health and working toward a full recovery.
A former model by profession, Vanessa first met Donald Trump Jr. in the early 2000s through a deliberate introduction by the current U.S. president. In a 2006 interview with The New York Times, she recalled the chance meeting at a fashion show: Donald Trump Sr. approached her with his son and said, “Hi, I’m Donald Trump. I wanted to introduce you to my son Donald Trump Jr.” The pair went on to marry at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump’s private Florida estate, in 2005. During their marriage, they welcomed five children, whose ages currently span from 11 to 19 years old. The couple separated in 2018. Most recently, Vanessa made headlines last year when she and professional golf legend Tiger Woods confirmed they were in a romantic relationship.
Despite the unexpected health challenge, Vanessa maintained a resolute, hopeful tone in her announcement. “I am staying focused and hopeful while surrounded by the love and support of my family, my kids, and those closest to me,” she wrote. “Thank you for your kindness and support it truly means more than I can express.”
Within hours of her post going live, hundreds of messages of encouragement and well-wishes flooded the comment section, including a public note of support from Ivanka Trump, the U.S. president’s eldest daughter and Vanessa’s former sister-in-law. “Praying for your continued strength and a swift recovery. Love you mama,” Ivanka wrote.
Among the couple’s five children, their eldest 19-year-old daughter Kai Trump has carved out a notable public profile of her own, boasting a large following on social media and making frequent public appearances alongside her grandfather at the White House.