Vanessa Trump, the former wife of Donald Trump Jr., revealed in a social media post that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and asked for privacy as she focuses on her health and recovery.
The 48-year-old announced the diagnosis in a Wednesday post on Instagram. She is currently working with her medical team on a treatment plan. She also expressed gratitude to her doctors for performing a procedure on her earlier in the week.
“I am staying focused and hopeful while surrounded by the love and support of family, my kids, and those closest to me,” Trump wrote. “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.”
Vanessa Trump was married to Donald Trump Jr. for over a decade before the pair divorced in 2018. The couple shares five children, and Vanessa Trump has reportedly remained close with her ex-husband’s family.
In response to the news, Vanessa Trump’s former sister-in-law, Ivanka Trump, responded: ”Praying for your continued strength and a swift recovery. Love you, mama.”
Ivanka Trump, 44, is the second daughter of President Donald Trump and his first wife, Ivana Trump. During her father’s first presidential administration, Ivanka Trump served as the former advisor to the president of the United States.
Vanessa Trump met her former husband in 2003. The now-mother of five had grown up in the Upper East Side and started modeling at an early age. Her mother, Bonnie Haydon, ran the Kay Models agency, according to a 2006 report from The New York Times. Donald Trump Sr. facilitated her introduction to Donald Trump Jr. in 2003.
“I’m at this fashion show,” Vanessa Trump said, recalling the introduction to Donald Trump Jr. “Donald Trump comes up to me with his son: ‘Hi, I’m Donald Trump. I wanted to introduce you to my son Donald Trump Jr.'”
Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump tied the knot in 2005, marrying at Mar- a-Lago, Donald Trump Sr.’s club in Florida. The couple’s five children include: Kai Trump, 19; Donald John Trump III; 17, Tristan Milos Trump, 14; Spencer Frederick Trump, 13; Chloe Sophia Trump, 11.
As People magazine reported in 2018, the president’s son and Vanessa Trump split following more than 12 years of marriage. Court records indicated that Vanessa Trump had filed for divorce in the Manhattan Supreme Court.
“After 12 years of marriage, we have decided to go our separate ways. We will always have tremendous respect for each other and our families,” the couple said in a statement to the magazine at the time. “We have five beautiful children together and they remain our top priority. We ask for your privacy during this time.”
One unnamed source told People that even before Donald Trump became president, the couple’s marriage was “strained.” But another source familiar with the Trump family claimed that the news about the divorce was surprising, saying, “They always seemed very cute together, and were a really fun couple.”
The news of the split came shortly after a report that Vanessa Trump was sent to a New York hospital after opening a suspicious letter that contained white powder.
According to reports, the letter was sent to the Manhattan apartment of Vanessa’s mother, where they were staying at that time. The letter’s sender knew there was a better chance of the mail reaching its recipient this way, as the Secret Service heavily secures Donald Jr.’s home. The letter was addressed to the president’s son, who was not at home at that time.
Sources told the New York Post that when Vanessa Trump saw the white powder included in the letter, she panicked and stashed the letter and powder in a plastic bag before calling 911.
Authorities later ruled that the white powder was “non-hazardous.” Another insider said it was cornstarch.
Vanessa was sent home hours later with at least one of their five children, none of whom was at home when the incident happened.
Samantha Kamman is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @Samantha_Kamman
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