Content Advisory: This article discusses death, cancer, grief, political conflict, and public memorial tributes. Reader discretion is advised.
Caroline Kennedy fought back tears as she publicly honored her late daughter, Tatiana Schlossberg, months after her death from leukemia.
The former U.S. ambassador and daughter of President John F. Kennedy opened the annual JFK Profile in Courage Award ceremony on Sunday, May 31, with an emotional tribute to Tatiana, who died in December 2025 at age 35 after battling acute myeloid leukemia.
The ceremony was held at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, where Tatiana had previously served on the board.
Caroline, 68, began by welcoming family members in attendance, including Tatiana’s in-laws, Garrett and Mary Moran, the parents of Tatiana’s husband, George Moran. Then her voice began to waver.
Caroline Kennedy Honors Tatiana
“Most of all, we remember Tatiana,” Caroline said.
She described her daughter as someone who “represented everything my parents stood for” during her “beautiful, amazing and too-short life.”
The crowd of more than 650 people responded with nearly 20 seconds of applause as Caroline paused and collected herself.
Tatiana, an environmental journalist and author, died on Dec. 30. A memorial service was held for her on Jan. 5 at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in New York City. She is survived by her husband and their two young children.
Tatiana Spoke Out Before Her Death
Before her death, Tatiana wrote a powerful essay for ‘The New Yorker’ about her illness, her family’s long history of tragedy, and her criticism of cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
In the essay, she wrote about watching RFK Jr.’s rise from her hospital bed while undergoing treatment. She criticized his attacks on public health institutions and his alliance with Donald Trump.
Tatiana also wrote about medical research funding, including cuts to mRNA vaccine research and National Institutes of Health funding. Her words carried extra weight because she was relying on doctors, nurses, and researchers while facing a fatal illness.
JFK Ceremony Honors Courage Under Pressure
Caroline attended the ceremony with her husband, Ed Schlossberg, and her son, Jack Schlossberg, who is running for Congress in Manhattan.
This year’s JFK Profile in Courage Award honored former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and the people of the Twin Cities of Minnesota for standing up to the Trump administration in different ways.
Caroline said the foundation was honoring “Americans who risked their careers, their safety and even their lives to hold politicians to account and keep America true to her promises.” She praised Powell for staying committed to the public interest despite attacks and pressure.
Jack later introduced Powell, saying his mother had taught him how to handle life’s challenges “with grace and determination.”
Caroline Links Family, Grief And Public Service
Caroline also honored residents of Minneapolis and St. Paul who resisted a federal immigration crackdown, praising those who organized, protested peacefully, documented overreach, and supported immigrant neighbors.
She remembered Renée Good and Alex Pretti, two Minneapolis residents and U.S. citizens who were killed by federal agents in January during the protests.
For Caroline, the night carried both public and private meaning. The ceremony honored political courage and resistance. But her most emotional moment came when she paused to remember her daughter.
Tatiana’s death added another painful chapter to one of America’s most famous political families. Caroline’s tribute made clear that her daughter’s life, work, and voice remain part of the Kennedy legacy.
