Maria Shriver Honors Cousin Tatiana Schlossberg Following Her Passing: ‘This Makes No Sense to Me’
“We who remain will ensure Eddie and Josie understand what a remarkable and brave soul their mother was and always will be,” Shriver expressed regarding Schlossberg’s children.
A Heartfelt Message Following Tragic News
Maria Shriver has shared a deeply moving message dedicated to her cousin Tatiana Schlossberg after learning of her passing on Tuesday, December 30th.
Roughly five weeks after Schlossberg—the granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy and child of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg—published a personal piece in The New Yorker discussing her acute myeloid leukemia diagnosis, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation confirmed her death on Tuesday morning.
The accomplished writer and environmental advocate was just 35 years old.
“We’ve lost our precious Tatiana this morning,” her family shared in an official statement released through the foundation. “Her memory will live in our hearts forever.” The statement bore the signatures of “George, Edwin and Josephine Moran, Ed, Caroline, Jack, Rose and Rory.”
Social Media Tribute
Shortly after this announcement, Shriver took to social media to remember her cousin through words and images.
Her post featured multiple photographs: a childhood snapshot of the two cousins together, an image from Schlossberg’s wedding day with husband George Moran, and a recent photograph showing Schlossberg with cropped hair after beginning cancer treatment.
“I come back here today to remember my dear, cherished Tatiana, who departed this world today,” Shriver opened. “I come back here to acknowledge and celebrate her devoted family, who rallied together and gave everything possible to support her. I come back here with a shattered heart because Tatiana embraced life. She treasured her existence, and she battled fiercely to preserve it.”
Her words continued, “This makes no sense to me. I find absolutely no logic in this. None whatsoever.”
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Celebrating a Life Well-Lived
Shriver highlighted her cousin’s accomplishments as a reporter and her dedication to raising awareness about environmental conservation.
“She built a wonderful life alongside her remarkable husband George, along with their children Eddie and Josie. She battled with the strength of a warrior. She displayed valor, resilience, and bravery,” Shriver wrote admiringly.
The veteran NBC News anchor expressed her support for Caroline Kennedy, calling her a “pillar of strength.” She also acknowledged the extended family members, close friends, and medical professionals who provided care during Schlossberg’s illness.
Shriver drew attention to Schlossberg’s New Yorker essay, which she had previously described as “remarkable” on social media weeks earlier. She repeated this sentiment and urged readers to experience Schlossberg’s powerful writing.
“Regardless of your beliefs, please keep Tatiana and her mourning family in your thoughts,” Shriver requested. “Tatiana embodied brightness, wit, and happiness. She possessed intelligence—sharp, brilliant intelligence—and spirit. She brought joy, humor, love, and compassion, a model daughter, sister, mother, cousin, niece, companion, everything…”
A Promise to Remember
Near the conclusion of her tribute, she made a commitment regarding Schlossberg and Moran’s young children.
“We who remain will ensure Eddie and Josie understand what a remarkable and brave soul their mother was and always will be. She inherited these qualities from her exceptional mother, Caroline,” Shriver stated. “May we surround Tatiana’s family with our collective support not only today but in all the days to come, and may everyone reading this recognize how fortunate you are to be living right now. Please take a moment to appreciate your life. It’s genuinely such a precious gift.”
The Battle Against Cancer
In her published essay, Schlossberg revealed receiving her acute myeloid leukemia diagnosis in May 2024, just weeks after welcoming her second child. She received a stem cell donation from her sister and achieved remission temporarily before discovering the cancer had come back and was deemed “incurable.”
The loss of Tatiana Schlossberg represents a profound tragedy for the Kennedy family and all those whose lives she touched through her environmental journalism and advocacy work.