Vanessa Trump, the former model and ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr., added her name to a growing list of women confronting one of the most common health challenges in America, announcing Wednesday that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
In a candid Instagram post she described as a “personal health update,” the 48-year-old mother of five revealed the news alongside word that she had already begun taking action. “I’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. While this isn’t news anyone expects, I’m working closely with my medical team on a treatment plan,” she wrote. “I would like to thank my doctors for performing a procedure earlier this week on me.”
Despite the weight of the diagnosis, Vanessa struck a tone of resolve. “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, asking followers for privacy as she moves through treatment. “Thank you for your kindness and support it truly means more than I can express. I kindly ask for privacy as I focus on my health and recovery.”
Support poured in quickly from family. Ivanka Trump, her former sister-in-law, commented: “Praying for your continued strength and a swift recovery. Love you mama.”
Vanessa — a New York City native who was married to Donald Trump Jr. for 12 years before filing for divorce in 2018 — shares five children with her ex-husband: Kai, 19; Donald, 17; Tristan, 14; Spencer, 13; and Chloe, 11. She did not disclose the cancer’s stage or further treatment details.
Her diagnosis comes during a personally demanding stretch. Her boyfriend, golfer Tiger Woods, returned to his Jupiter, Florida home on May 13 after a six-week overseas treatment program following a March DUI charge and car accident. Sources close to the couple told PEOPLE the two “are in love, still serious, and happy to see each other.”
The announcement also comes amid a broader national conversation about breast cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 321,910 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in U.S. women in 2026. One in eight women — roughly 13% of the female population — will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Vanessa is not alone in the public eye either; just two months ago, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, with President Trump noting her prognosis was “beyond excellent.
Breast cancer death rates have declined 44% since 1989, driven in part by improved screening, earlier detection, and advancing treatment options.
