Charles Krauthammer has shared a tragic update on his health with the public. The Fox News panelist and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer has revealed that he is entering the final weeks of his life. In a heartrending letter, Krauthammer shared the reason he has been absent over the last ten months. In the poignant message, he shared the journey he has quietly endured out of the public eye, sharing:
In August of last year, I underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in my abdomen. That operation was thought to have been a success, but it caused a cascade of secondary complications which I have been fighting in hospital ever since. It was a long and hard fight with many setbacks, but I was steadily, if slowly, overcoming each obstacle along the way and gradually making my way back to health. However, recent tests have revealed that the cancer has returned. There was no sign of it as recently as a month ago, which means it is aggressive and spreading rapidly. My doctors tell me their best estimate is that I have only a few weeks left to live. This is the final verdict. My fight is over.
A former psychiatrist, Dr. Charles Krauthammer shared the dark news in a letter published by Fox News. Along with being a contributing editor at The Weekly Standard, Krauthammer has been a familiar face on-screen. Fox News viewers have long watched him as a nightly panelist on the network's Special Report with Bret Baier. Krauthammer has also been a weekly columnist at The Washington Post online. Before the publishing of his letter, Krauthammer's last column for the outlet had been published in early August 2017.
The commentator and contributor is 68 years old. Charles Krauthammer has been married to his wife Robyn since 1974. The couple has a son Daniel. In an interview with C-Span's Brian Lamb in 2005, Krauthammer shared that his son was attending his alma mater Harvard University to study political science and economics. The news of Krauthammer's terminal cancer diagnosis comes months after an upbeat health update had been shared in late February.
In the letter read by Bret Baier and reported on by Fox News at the time, Krauthammer shared his determination to return to Special Report. In it he mentioned the difficult recovery from what we now know was the removal of a cancerous abdominal tumor.
Special Report viewers had not seen Charles Krauthammer since last year when he left to have surgery to remove the tumor. With weeks left to live, it is unclear if Krauthammer's letter will be his final written piece. While Krauthammer had been a nightly voice on Special Report, television viewers have also seen him on Megyn Kelly's old show The Kelly File and other Fox News programs.
Charles Krauthammer has found career success in the face of adversity. During his first year at Harvard Medical School, he became paralyzed after a diving accident. In the time since, he has carved out a storied career. In his letter, Krauthammer gave thanks to the people who had played a role in his career, including those who watched and read, saying:
Lastly, I thank my colleagues, my readers, and my viewers, who have made my career possible and given consequence to my life's work. I believe that the pursuit of truth and right ideas through honest debate and rigorous argument is a noble undertaking. I am grateful to have played a small role in the conversations that have helped guide this extraordinary nation's destiny.
The tragic news will undoubtedly be addressed on tonight's episode Special Report. The show airs at 6 p.m. ET on Fox News. Charles Krauthammer's loved ones and admirers can take the time now to share their appreciation for his contribution to the world of political conversation.
CinemaBlend sends their thoughts to Charles Krauthammer's family and loved ones.
