Three Members of Donald Trump’s Family Were Allegedly Stricken by a Serious Disease — A Look at the President’s Family Health History #2

One of Donald Trump’s relatives reportedly forgot people they’d known for decades. Another was said to have walked off mid-transit without warning. A third faced an illness that ended a promising career before the age of 45.

Across several decades, three members of President Donald Trump’s family faced serious health challenges. They were characterized by cognitive decline, sudden medical complications, or struggles culminating in premature death. While the details of these cases differ, they collectively shed light on broader patterns within the family’s medical history.

The full account, gradually revealed through interviews, documents, and personal recollections, outlines a timeline that spans from the mid-20th century to recent years. It includes both close blood relatives and others intimately connected to the family. This timeline begins with a life-threatening emergency that occurred during Donald’s childhood.

Mary MacLeod Trump: Post-Childbirth Complications

Shortly after the birth of her youngest son, Robert Trump, Mary MacLeod Trump experienced a severe medical emergency. She began hemorrhaging and was rushed to the hospital, where she underwent an emergency hysterectomy.

According to her daughter, Maryanne Trump Barry, the situation quickly worsened. Mary developed peritonitis, a serious abdominal infection, and had to undergo four operations in roughly two weeks. At the time, Maryanne was an adolescent and recalled her father, Fred Trump Sr., coming home to deliver the news.

He told her that her mother wasn’t expected to live but added that she should still attend school as usual and that he would call if anything changed. Fred Sr., a board member at Jamaica Hospital, used his influence to contact a surgeon at Columbia University Medical School.

He retrieved the specialist himself using his car phone, a rare convenience at the time. While Mary ultimately survived, the ordeal left her with lasting health concerns. Despite her fragile condition, Mary resumed her role in the household, managing a large family of five children and continuing her volunteer work.

She was also described as the figure around whom family occasions revolved. Donald would later describe her as having a flair for the dramatic, calling her a source of his own sense of showmanship.

In 2014, he publicly shared a piece of her advice on social media, tweeting, “Great advice from my mother: ‘Trust in God and be true to yourself.’ – Mary MacLeod Trump.” Years after his mother’s health struggles, his father would begin to show symptoms consistent with dementia.

Fred Trump Sr.: Alzheimer’s Diagnosis and Behavioral Symptoms

Fred Trump Sr., a real estate developer and hospital board member, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease several years before the 1990s. His symptoms became increasingly noticeable to those around him during that period.

According to his grandson, early signs of cognitive decline appeared in the 1980s. Fred Sr. would sometimes exit his limousine and begin walking away without explanation, a behavior that eventually became familiar to the family.

His wife, Mary, referred to the experience of managing his care as a “36-hour day,” and he was reportedly kept employed in part to give her relief from his constant presence at home. Mary L. Trump later recalled an incident at a family gathering in the 1990s, when Fred Sr., then in his late 80s, failed to recognize two of his children.

When he did recognize Donald, he approached him with a picture of a Cadillac, as if seeking permission to buy it. Medical records at the time confirmed that Fred Sr. had already been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Another relative faced a health challenge that began decades earlier and ended in tragedy.

Fred Trump Jr.: Alcohol Use Disorder and Early Death

Fred Trump Jr., the eldest son of Fred and Mary Trump, enrolled at Lehigh University in 1956 after not being admitted to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Known for his humor and charm, he quickly became one of the most popular students on campus.

He joined Sigma Alpha Mu, a historically Jewish fraternity that was open to students of other faiths. His fraternity brothers described him as generous, fun-loving, and always well-dressed, often arriving with a new Corvette and offering rides in rented boats and planes.

After graduating, Fred Jr. married Linda Lee Clapp, a flight attendant, in 1962 and pursued a career as a commercial pilot. He enrolled in a rigorous TWA training program in 1964 and flew as a secondary pilot for a time. According to Donald, Fred Jr. had a natural talent for flying and frequently hosted other pilots at the family home.

However, peers from flight school began noticing signs of alcohol use. Bob Dedman, a fellow trainee, recalled that Fred Jr. would fall asleep in restaurants after a few drinks. He described him as polite and well-mannered but struggling with a “major drinking problem.”

Others reported that Fred Jr. was eventually terminated from TWA due to alcohol-related issues during his probationary period. The pressure to abandon aviation and join the family real estate business had weighed heavily on Fred Jr. Donald recalled confronting him in the mid-1960s, questioning his interest in flying.

Fred Sr. reportedly dismissed his son’s career choice as wanting to be a “chauffeur in the sky.” Friends noted that Fred Jr. tried to distance himself from those expectations but found it increasingly difficult.

Fred Trump Jr. died in 1981 at the age of 42 due to complications related to alcoholism. Years later, Donald expressed regret for pressuring his brother, saying that Fred Jr.’s death had left a lasting impact on him. A different kind of health crisis would surface decades later involving Donald’s youngest brother.

Robert Trump: Brain Bleeds Following a Fall

Robert Trump, the youngest of the five Trump siblings, died on August 15, 2020, at the age of 71. He passed away at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. The White House announced his death but did not specify the cause.

According to a family friend, Robert had suffered brain bleeds following a recent fall and had been taking blood thinners at the time. Donald visited his brother at the hospital the day before he died. Speaking later at a White House news conference, he described Robert as “a wonderful brother.”

He also added they had maintained a great relationship “from Day 1.” Friends noted that he appeared downcast after the visit. By Saturday, with Robert not expected to survive, Donald called the hospital from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Later that day, Robert was pronounced dead.

Robert had no biological children but helped raise Christopher Hollister Trump-Retchin, the son of his first wife, Blaine Trump. In his later years, Robert married Ann Marie Pallan and largely stayed out of the public spotlight.

Described by biographer Michael D’Antonio as “the quietest of Trumps,” he was never groomed to take over the family business and initially worked on Wall Street before joining the Trump Organization in a senior role. Later, concerns about cognitive decline surfaced again.

Maryanne Trump Barry: Apparent Memory Loss Before Death

Maryanne Trump Barry, Donald’s older sister, died on November 13, 2023, at 86. She was found in her Upper East Side apartment around 4 a.m. and pronounced dead at the scene. According to authorities, there were no signs of trauma. The Medical Examiner’s Office was assigned to determine the official cause of death.

Before her passing, Maryanne reportedly displayed signs of cognitive decline, though she was never formally diagnosed. In one instance, she told a family member, “You know, I’ve only met your wife Lisa once.” The statement came as a surprise, as the relative later clarified that Maryanne had met Lisa hundreds of times over nearly four decades.

Maryanne had served as a senior judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit before retiring in 2019. Her judicial career began in 1974 when she became an Assistant U.S. Attorney, later receiving federal court appointments from Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton.

Following her death, Donald Trump Jr. acknowledged the loss, saying, “It’s a rough day for myself and my family.” Another relative was also reported to have experienced dementia, though fewer details are known about his condition.

John Walter: Reported Dementia

John Walter, a cousin of Donald, was also reported to have had dementia. The information was shared by a family member who listed him among other relatives who had shown signs of cognitive decline.

No official diagnosis or timeline was disclosed, and no additional details about the nature or progression of his condition were publicly provided. Reports of John’s dementia placed him alongside Fred Sr. and Maryanne, who are said to have experienced similar symptoms. Additionally, Donald’s daughter has publicly acknowledged a personal health struggle of her own.

Ivanka Trump: Postpartum Depression After Each Childbirth

In 2017, Ivanka Trump publicly revealed that she had experienced postpartum depression following the births of all three of her children. She described it as a deeply challenging emotional period.

Despite having what she called “easy pregnancies,” the contrast between those experiences and the difficulties she faced afterward left her feeling that she wasn’t living up to her expectations as a parent, entrepreneur, or executive.

Her statements brought renewed public attention to postpartum depression as a medical condition. Dr. Jennifer Ashton, a senior medical contributor for ABC News, emphasized that the condition is a serious health concern requiring professional attention.

She noted that symptoms can include depressed mood, severe mood swings, excessive crying, difficulty bonding with the baby, and withdrawal from family and friends. Ivanka’s disclosure placed her among the many women who have spoken out about the issue, highlighting the importance of awareness and support.

Experts have since reiterated that postpartum depression is a medical emergency, not a character flaw, and that both mothers and fathers can be affected. In 2020, another Trump family member, faced a widely publicized health scare involving a different kind of diagnosis.

Barron Trump: COVID-19 Diagnosis and Recovery

In October 2020, Barron Trump, then 14 years old, tested positive for COVID-19. His mother, First Lady Melania Trump, revealed that Barron had initially tested negative but later returned a positive result. She wrote that her “fear came true” when the follow-up test confirmed the infection.

According to Melania, Barron remained asymptomatic throughout the course of the illness. She called it a “great relief” that he recovered quickly and without complications. In a later public statement, Donald said, “I don’t even think he knew he had it,” referring to his son’s lack of symptoms.

He added, “Barron is beautiful and he is free.” While Barron’s case resolved quickly, Donald himself has faced a series of medical evaluations in recent years, culminating in a comprehensive physical released in 2025.

Donald Trump’s 2025 Physical Examination and Health Status

On April 11, 2025, the president underwent his annual physical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The evaluation, conducted under the supervision of Navy Captain Dr. Sean P. Barbarella, concluded that the 78-year-old president was in excellent health and fully fit to carry out his official duties.

The assessment reported no cognitive issues. Donald scored a perfect 30 out of 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a standard tool used to detect signs of impairment. A comprehensive neurological exam revealed no abnormalities.

Donald’s cardiovascular and respiratory systems were also found to be in good condition. His blood pressure was recorded at 128/74 mmHg, his heart rate was 62 beats per minute, and his oxygen saturation stood at 99 percent. His chest CT scan and echocardiogram showed no abnormalities.

His laboratory results showed controlled cholesterol levels—total cholesterol at 140 mg/dL, LDL at 51 mg/dL, HDL at 77 mg/dL, and triglycerides at 56 mg/dL. His fasting glucose was 89.7 mg/dL, and his hemoglobin A1c was 5.2, both within the normal range. Other blood count and metabolic readings were also reported as normal.

His medical history included treated conditions such as hypercholesterolemia, rosacea, diverticulosis, and seasonal allergies. He has previously undergone cataract surgery in both eyes and the removal of a benign colon polyp. His lifestyle, which includes frequent golf and travel, was cited as contributing positively to his health.

He takes rosuvastatin and ezetimibe for cholesterol management, low-dose aspirin for cardiac prevention, and mometasone cream for a skin condition. His immunizations were reported to be up to date.

Despite multiple serious health cases among his relatives, Donald’s 2025 health report described him as exhibiting “excellent cognitive and physical health,” with no signs of the conditions that had affected other members of his family.