Vanessa Trump has opened up about her breast cancer battle for the first time since undergoing surgery, telling followers she is healing and preparing for the next stage of her treatment — all while her partner Tiger Woods remains overseas in a rehabilitation programme.
The 48-year-old, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in May, shared the update on Instagram on Saturday 13th June, offering a rare glimpse into what has been an extraordinarily difficult few weeks for the former model and mother of five.
"Over the past four weeks, I've been recovering from surgery, and I'm grateful to be healing and moving forward. Soon, I'll be starting the second stage of my treatment."
She signed off with a message of solidarity for others going through similar struggles: "Sending love, strength, and hope to everyone fighting this battle."
A Diagnosis No One Saw Coming
Vanessa first revealed her diagnosis on 20th May, describing the news with characteristic composure. "While this isn't news anyone expects, I'm working closely with my medical team on a treatment plan," she wrote at the time, adding that she was "staying focused and hopeful" with the support of family and friends. She also asked the public to respect her privacy as she focused on her recovery — a request that, given the high-profile nature of her family connections, spoke to just how seriously she was taking her health battle.
The diagnosis drew an outpouring of support from across the Trump family, including Ivanka Trump, who publicly offered her prayers and wished Vanessa "continued strength and a speedy recovery."
Vanessa shares five children — Kai, Donald III, Chloe, Tristan, and Spencer — with her ex-husband Donald Trump Jr., from whom she divorced in 2018 after 13 years of marriage. She is the daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump and the late Ivana Trump, which means her illness sits at the heart of one of the most scrutinised families in the world.
Tiger in Treatment, Vanessa Healing at Home
Adding another layer of complexity to an already challenging period, Vanessa is navigating her recovery largely without her partner Tiger Woods, who is reportedly still overseas attending a rehabilitation programme following his DUI arrest in March. The golf legend was involved in a car crash in Jupiter, Florida on 27th March, after which police discovered he was in possession of prescription pills. He was charged with a misdemeanour DUI and has pleaded not guilty.
Woods broke his silence on the matter in a statement, saying he was "stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment" and acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. He returned briefly to Florida for just over a week in mid-May — sources say he was stateside around 13th May, having first entered treatment on 3rd April — before returning to his programme abroad.
"He wants to feel better and play golf. He wants to live a good life and be with those he loves. This is what he has to do to get to that point."
Woods and Vanessa confirmed their relationship publicly in March 2025, with the golfer sharing a post captioned: "Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side." The timing has made their story one of the most closely watched celebrity relationships of the year — and now, with both facing significant personal battles simultaneously, the pressure on them both is considerable. You can follow the latest developments in their story and others like it in our celebrity section.
Moving Forward
Despite everything, Vanessa's tone in her update was one of quiet determination rather than despair. The announcement that she is moving into a second stage of treatment signals that her medical team has a structured plan in place, and her gratitude for the support she has received suggests she is leaning into her network rather than facing this alone.
For a woman who has spent much of the past decade navigating life in one of America's most prominent political dynasties — and who is now doing so while battling a serious illness — that resilience says quite a lot.
