Jacqueline "Jackie" Kennedy's Battle with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, former First Lady of the United States, was an international icon, largely known for her work as a cultural ambassador of the US. As one of the youngest First Ladies in US history, Jacqueline led efforts to preserve and protect America’s cultural heritage.

In December 1993, at age 64, Jacqueline was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of blood cancer originating from the lymphatic system.

What started out as flu-like symptoms — a stomach ache and swollen lymph nodes in her neck — led to a medical consultation and a diagnosis of non-hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Jacqueline’s condition was made public on January 21, 1994, through a statement from her daughter, Caroline Kennedy. It was revealed through the statement that Jacqueline was diagnosed with early-stage non-hodgkin’s lymphoma. According to the doctors, the prognosis was excellent with aggressive intervention, considering the cancer’s limited spread and her health condition.

Despite the devastating news, Jacqueline continued her senior editor role at Doubleday — an American publishing company — while undergoing her initial chemotherapy treatment. No further updates were given during this period due to her preference for privacy for her and her family.

In March 1994, things quickly took a turn for the worse, as Jaqueline’s non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma spread at an alarming rate to her liver, spinal cord and brain. This led to frequent hospitalizations at New York Hospital, as she suffered from severe complications, including low white blood cell counts and recurring infections.

To alleviate her symptoms and slow the progression of the disease, radiation therapy was administered at Jacqueline’s brain metastases. She was also given antibiotics and blood transfusions. Unfortunately, by early May, 1994, she was told by the physicians that no further curative options remained.

On May 19, 1994, Jacqueline stopped all treatments and returned home to her Fifth Avenue Apartment. That same evening, at age 64, she passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children and close family.