Health Challenges in Donald Trump’s Family: A Closer Look at Their History
Over the years, several members of former President Donald Trump’s family have reportedly faced significant health challenges.
One family member was said to experience memory issues, losing connection with long-time acquaintances.
Another allegedly departed abruptly during a trip, raising concerns about sudden health complications. A third had a once-promising career that ended prematurely due to illness before reaching the age of 45.
While each situation is unique, these accounts collectively point to recurring health concerns within the Trump family, highlighting patterns that suggest broader underlying medical trends.
The complete story, which has been progressively made public through interviews, records, and firsthand memories, describes a chronology that extends from the middle of the 20th century to the present.
It comprises those who are closely related to the family as well as close blood relatives. This chronology starts with a potentially fatal situation that happened when Donald was a young boy.
Mary MacLeod Trump: Issues Following Childbirth
Mary MacLeod Trump had a serious medical problem shortly after the birth of her youngest son, Robert Trump. After she started to bleed, she was taken to the hospital and had an emergency hysterectomy.
Maryanne Trump Barry, her daughter, said things rapidly got worse. In around two weeks, Mary had to have four surgeries due to a severe stomach infection called peritonitis.
Maryanne, who was a teenager at the time, remembered her father, Fred Trump Sr., arriving home to break the news to her.
Although he informed her that her mother was not expected to live, he advised her to continue going to school as usual and promised to call if anything changed.
A Jamaica Hospital board member named Fred Sr. utilized his connections to get in touch with a Columbia University Medical School surgeon.
Using his car phone, which was a rare convenience at the time, he personally retrieved the specialist. Mary survived in the end, but the experience left her with long-term health issues.
Mary returned to her responsibilities in the home, taking care of a big family of five children and volunteering despite her weak health.
She was also characterized as the focal point of family gatherings. Later on, Donald would say that she had a penchant for the dramatic and that she was the inspiration behind his own showmanship.
He publicly posted a quote from her on social media in 2014, writing, “Great advice from my mother: ‘Trust in God and be true to yourself.’ – Mary MacLeod Trump.” His father would start exhibiting dementia-like symptoms years after his mother’s health issues.
The diagnosis and behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in Fred Trump Sr.
A few years prior to the 1990s, Fred Trump Sr., a hospital board member and real estate mogul, had an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. During that time, those around him were more aware of his symptoms.
Early indications of cognitive decline started to show up in the 1980s, according to his grandson. The family soon grew accustomed to Fred Sr.’s habit of getting out of his limousine and leaving without saying anything.
The experience of caring for him was described by his wife, Mary, as a “36-hour day,” and it was said that he was kept on staff in part to relieve her of his continual presence at home.
Later, Mary L. Trump recalled an instance in the 1990s when Fred Sr., who was in his late 80s at the time, did not identify two of his children during a family get-together.
When he finally recognized Donald, he went up to him holding a Cadillac photo, seemingly asking for permission to purchase it.
Fred Sr. had already been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, according to medical records at the time. A health issue that started decades ago and ended tragically affected another relative.
Fred Trump Jr.: Early Death and Alcohol Use Disorder
After being rejected from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, Fred Trump Jr., the eldest son of Fred and Mary Trump, enrolled at Lehigh University in 1956.
He immediately rose to prominence as one of the most well-liked students on school thanks to his charisma and sense of humor.
He became a member of Sigma Alpha Mu, a traditionally Jewish fraternity that welcomed students from a variety of religious backgrounds.
He frequently arrived with a new Corvette and offered trips in rented boats and planes, and his fraternity mates remembered him as giving, fun-loving, and always well-dressed.
Following graduation, Fred Jr. sought a job as a commercial pilot and married flight attendant Linda Lee Clapp in 1962.
He flew as a backup pilot for a while after enrolling in a demanding TWA training program in 1964. Donald claims that Fred Jr. was naturally gifted as a pilot and often entertained other pilots at the family residence.
But flight school classmates started to see indications of alcohol consumption. Fred Jr. would doze off in restaurants after a few beers, according to fellow trainee Bob Dedman.
He said that although he was kind and well-behaved, he had a “major drinking problem.”
According to some reports, Fred Jr.’s probationary period alcohol-related problems ultimately led to his termination from TWA.
Fred Jr. had been under a lot of pressure to give up flying and work in the family real estate company. Donald remembered asking him why he was interested in flying in the middle of the 1960s.
According to friends, Fred Jr. attempted to disassociate himself from those expectations but found it more and more challenging.
Fred Sr. reportedly rejected his son’s profession decision, saying that he wanted to be a “chauffeur in the sky.”
Due to difficulties from his alcoholism, Fred Trump Jr. passed away in 1981 at the age of 42. Years later, Donald said that the death of Fred Jr. had affected him for a long time and that he regretted pressing his brother.
Decades later, Donald’s youngest brother would experience a different type of health catastrophe.
Robert Trump: After a fall, his brain bleeds
On August 15, 2020, Robert Trump, the youngest of the five Trump siblings, passed away at the age of 71. He died at Manhattan’s NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. His cause of death was not disclosed by the White House when it announced his passing.
A family acquaintance said Robert had been using blood thinners at the time and had experienced brain bleeds after a recent fall.
The day before his death, Donald paid his brother a visit in the hospital. Later, during a White House press conference, he called Robert “a wonderful brother.”
Friends observed that he seemed depressed following the visit, but he also said that they had had a wonderful relationship “from Day 1.
” By Saturday, Donald called the hospital from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, since Robert was not expected to live. Robert was declared dead later that day.
Despite not having any biological children, Robert assisted in raising Christopher Hollister Trump-Retchin, the son of Blaine Trump, his first wife. Robert married Ann Marie Pallan in his later years and mostly avoided the public eye.
Known as “the quietest of Trumps,” according to author Michael D’Antonio, he was never prepared to assume control of the family business and began his career on Wall Street before assuming a top position at the Trump Organization.
Later on, worries about cognitive decline reappeared.
Maryanne Trump Barry: Evident Dementia Prior to Death
Donald’s older sister, Maryanne Trump Barry, passed away on November 13, 2023, at the age of 86. Around 4 a.m., she was discovered in her apartment on the Upper East Side. and declared deceased on the spot.
Authorities said there were no indications of trauma. The task of establishing the official cause of death fell to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Despite never receiving a formal diagnosis, Maryanne was said to have shown symptoms of cognitive impairment before to her death. In one case, she said to a relative, “You know, I’ve only met your wife Lisa once.”
The relative later explained that Maryanne had met Lisa hundreds of times over almost forty years, thus the statement was unexpected.
Prior to this, Maryanne was a senior judge on the U.S. Prior to retirement in 2019, he served in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
She started her legal career in 1974 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and was later appointed to federal courts by previous Presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan.
Donald Trump Jr. expressed his sorrow after her passing, stating, “It’s a rough day for myself [sic] and my family.
” Another family member was also said to have suffered from dementia, though there are fewer specifics available regarding his illness.
John Walter: Dementia Reports
It was also alleged that Donald’s cousin John Walter suffered from dementia. A family member volunteered the information, citing him as one of several relatives who had displayed cognitive impairment.
No formal diagnosis or timeframe was revealed, and no further information on the type or course of his illness was made public.
According to reports, John had dementia, just as Maryanne and Fred Sr., who reportedly had identical symptoms. Donald’s daughter has also openly disclosed that she has struggled with her own health.
Ivanka Trump: Every time she gives child, she experiences postpartum depression
Ivanka Trump made it public in 2017 that she had suffered from postpartum depression after giving birth to all three of her children. It was a very difficult emotional time, she said.
Even though she claimed to have had “easy pregnancies,” the difference between those experiences and the challenges she encountered later made her feel as though she wasn’t living up to her expectations as an executive, mom, or businesswoman.
Her remarks raised awareness of postpartum depression as a medical disorder. ABC News senior medical contributor Dr. Jennifer Ashton stressed that the illness is a severe health issue that needs to be treated by a professional.
Depressed mood, extreme mood swings, excessive sobbing, trouble bonding with the newborn, and withdrawal from friends and family are some of the signs, she said.
Ivanka’s revelation made her one of the many women who have raised awareness of the problem and emphasized the value of support.
Since then, experts have reaffirmed that postpartum depression affects both moms and fathers and is a medical emergency rather than a personal weakness.
Another member of the Trump family had a well-publicized health scare in 2020 after receiving a different type of diagnosis.
Barron Trump: Identification and Recuperation from COVID-19
Barron Trump, who was 14 at the time, tested positive for COVID-19 in October 2020. First Lady Melania Trump, his mother, disclosed that Barron had tested negative at first but then came back positive.
Her “fear came true” when the infection was confirmed by the follow-up test, she said.
Melania claims that Barron did not exhibit any symptoms during the duration of his illness. “Great relief” is how she described his speedy and trouble-free recovery. “I don’t even think he knew he had it,” Donald remarked in a subsequent public address, alluding to his son’s absence of symptoms.
He went on to say, “Barron is beautiful and he is free.” Barron’s case was swiftly handled, but Donald had to undergo a number of medical examinations in recent years, which culminated in a thorough physical that was made public in 2025.
The health status and physical examination of Donald Trump in 2025
The president visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on April 11, 2025, for his yearly physical.
Under the direction of Navy Captain Dr. Sean P. Barbarella, the assessment found that the 78-year-old president was in good health and fit to perform his official duties.
There were no cognitive problems found in the evaluation. On the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a common test designed to identify indications of impairment, Donald received a flawless score of 30 out of 30. A thorough neurological examination found no anomalies.
Additionally, it was discovered that Donald’s respiratory and cardiovascular systems were in good shape. His oxygen saturation was 99 percent, his heart rate was 62 beats per minute, and his blood pressure was measured at 128/74 mmHg.
His echocardiography and chest CT scan revealed no anomalies.
Total cholesterol was 140 mg/dL, LDL was 51 mg/dL, HDL was 77 mg/dL, and triglycerides were 56 mg/dL, according to his lab findings
. His hemoglobin A1c was 5.2 and his fasting glucose was 89.7 mg/dL, both of which were within the normal range. Additional metabolic and blood count measurements were likewise reported as normal.
He had previously had treatment for rosacea, diverticulosis, hypercholesterolemia, and seasonal allergies.
In the past, he had a benign colon polyp removed and both eyes had cataract surgery. His way of life, which includes playing golf and traveling frequently, was mentioned as having a favorable impact on his health.
He also takes mometasone cream for a skin ailment, low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attacks, and rosuvastatin and ezetimibe to control his cholesterol. His vaccinations were said to be current.
Donald’s 2025 health report stated that he was in “excellent cognitive and physical health,” showing no symptoms of the illnesses that had afflicted other members of his family, despite the fact that several of his relatives had major health issues.
In addition to the U.S. president’s family, Donald Trump’s predecessor, former US President Joe Biden, is also dealing with a health issue.
On May 18, 2025, his personal office announced that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. The 82-year-old statesman’s urine issues worsened recently, prompting medical attention.
Doctors discovered a newly formed prostate nodule after a medical examination. Joe received a formal prostate cancer diagnosis on Friday, May 16, and the disease has already metastasized, or spread, to his bones.
His cancer has been classified as a highly aggressive form of the disease, with a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5).
Although it cannot forecast the disease’s ultimate course, the Gleason score is a grading system used to evaluate the likelihood that prostate cancer may develop and spread. It is determined by how aberrant the cancer cells look under a microscope following a biopsy.
A more aggressive cancer is indicated by a higher score if the cells are more irregular than healthy prostate cells.
Pathologists rate each of the two most common patterns of cancer cells in the sample to determine the score. The Gleason score, which normally falls between six and ten, is then calculated by adding these two grades together. Higher scores indicate a more serious form of cancer, whereas lower levels indicate cancer that grows more slowly.
The statement further underlined that the former president and his family are now discussing future treatment options with his doctors.
Many people across the country have shown concern and support for him after hearing the news, and many have expressed hope that he would recover.
After learning of Joe’s prostate cancer diagnosis, Donald put aside previous animosities to make a heartfelt public statement expressing condolences.
“Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis,” stated Donald. “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Despite its briefness, the message stressed sympathy and struck a respectful tone during a very sensitive time for the Biden family.
