Vanessa Trump shared a personal update on Instagram on Wednesday, May 20, announcing that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, saying she had recently undergone surgery and is currently working on a treatment plan with doctors.
“I remain focused and hopeful, surrounded by the love and support of my family, children, and those closest to me,” she wrote.
Trump, 48, a former model and ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr., were married for more than a decade before divorcing in 2018. The couple have five children, and while she has recently been in the spotlight for her relationship with golfer Tiger Woods, she remains close to the Trump family.
President Trump said he recently underwent surgery and thanked the doctors as he began treatment. “This is not the news anyone expected, but I am working closely with my medical team to develop a treatment plan,” she said. “I would like to thank the doctors who performed the surgery earlier this week.”
Trump’s former sister-in-law, Ivanka Trump, responded to the announcement, saying, “I wish you continued strength and a speedy recovery. I love you mom.”
Who is Vanessa Trump?
Vanessa grew up on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and became a model early in life, The New York Times reported in 2006. She met Trump Jr. at a party and the two were introduced by Trump himself, who reportedly approached her and introduced himself and his son to her.
“I’m at this fashion show,” Vanessa told the Times about meeting Trump Jr. in 2003. “Donald Trump came up to me with his son and said, ‘Hello, I’m Donald Trump. I wanted to introduce you to my son, Donald Trump Jr.,'” he said.
The two eventually married in November 2005 at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago.
Even after their divorce in 2018, Trump remained involved with her ex-husband’s family, and even attended President Trump’s inauguration in January 2025. Additionally, Trump has been dating golfer Tiger Woods since March 2025.
Vanessa Trump’s children
Vanessa has five children with Trump Jr.
- Kai Trump, 19 years old
- Donald John Trump III, 17 years old
- Tristan Milos Trump, 14 years old
- Spencer Frederick Trump, 13 years old
- Chloe Sophia Trump, 11 years old
USA TODAY’s Saman Shafiq contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.
