The Secret Illnesses of Five U.S. Presidents

Michelle Powell-Smith - September 19, 2016

Even presidents get sick, and may experience acute or chronic illness. During presidential elections, there’s often a great deal of interest in the health of candidates, from what’s shared with the public to what’s not shared. Regardless of the health of a candidate, any president can experience illness. Visit the presidential sickbed to learn more about the illnesses of past presidents and how they were managed—or hidden!

Grover Cleveland

The 22^nd and 24^th President of the United States, Grover Cleveland, developed cancer of the jaw while in office. Cleveland first noticed a lump on his upper jaw, on his “cigar-chewing side” shortly after his election, and by June 1893, it had grown significantly in size. His wife, Frances, called it a “peculiar lesion,” and there were reports that it worried Cleveland greatly.

Cleveland’s doctor quickly identified the growth as cancer and said it needed to come out; however, Cleveland feared the political and economic ramifications of announcing he had cancer. Cancer was, of course, often fatal at the time. His decision was likely a smart one for the country.

In the summer of 1893, Cleveland announced a planned fishing holiday on a friend’s yacht, to last four days. Joining him on the yacht were six skilled surgeons. During a 90-minute operation, they removed five teeth, the tumor, and a portion of his left, upper jaw. Oral surgeons today remain surprised at the speed and skill of Cleveland’s surgical team. The entire operation was done through his mouth, limiting any visible scarring. His trademark mustache was left untouched. The operation was a success, and Cleveland lived through his term, dying of a heart attack at 71 years old.

Within a few months, the media had learned of the operation; however, Cleveland immediately denied it, working to discredit the source and reporter. The policy of denial continued significantly after Cleveland’s presidency. Some 24 years later, one of the six doctors came forward, providing evidence about the truth of Cleveland’s operation.

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Woodrow Wilson

President Woodrow Wilson’s health began to suffer in 1918, while the U.S. still fought in World War I. He underwent an operation at that time, perhaps for nasal polyps. The operation was kept quiet, with only a very few people knowing of it. Around the same time, Wilson suffered two relatively minor strokes, impeding his ability to write with his right hand.

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson suffered a stroke while in office in October, 1919. This was one of three stroked suffered by Wilson, and the most severe of the three. He was paralyzed in his left side following the stroke, and partially blind. Following this stroke, Wilson spent the remainder of his presidency in near-total seclusion.

Wilson’s seclusion, and his secret, was protected by his wife, Edith Wilson. Already a widow, Edith Galt was introduced to Wilson in the month’s following the death of his wife Ellen. The two were married when Wilson completed a year of mourning for his first wife. While Edith Wilson was a strong and effective first lady during her husband’s wartime presidency, she took on an executive role after his stroke in October 1919.

Edith Wilson carefully read and reviewed every document that came across her husband’s desk during the remaining year and a half of his presidency. According to Edith, she condensed and presented material to her husband, and made no decisions in her own right, calling herself his steward. Wilson’s illness led to the passage of the Twenty-fifth Amendment, which created a clear rule of succession should the president be alive, but unable to complete his duties.

Woodrow Wilson completed his term, and was nursed for the three years following by Edith Wilson. Edith Wilson lived to accompany Franklin D. Roosevelt when he asked for a declaration of war in World War II, and to see the inauguration of John F. Kennedy in 1961.

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Franklin D. Roosevelt

In 1921, at 39 years old, Franklin D. Roosevelt contracted an illness that left him paralyzed. During his lifetime, this was diagnosed as polio; however, a small group of doctors today have suggested it was Guillain-Barre Syndrome, rather than polio. This post-mortem diagnosis remains controversial today. Regardless of the illness, it left Roosevelt unable to stand or walk without significant assistance.

Following extensive therapy, Roosevelt could walk short distances with a cane and braces; however, later in life, was largely confined to a wheelchair. In public, he stood, supported by one of his son’s, an aide, or a heavy lectern. Roosevelt’s illness predated his presidency; however, the severity of it was not revealed to the public. The press and Secret Service, as well as careful manipulation of public appearances significantly limited Roosevelt’s appearance in a wheelchair. Images of him entering and leaving cars were avoided through the use of private garages; however, Winston Churchill himself pushed Roosevelt’s wheelchair at the Yalta Conference, and did so with pride and honor.

He remained active throughout his recovery and long after, contributing to a number of years of good health. This illness did spark a lifelong commitment to medical philanthropy, particularly with regard to polio research and funding. In 1938, Roosevelt founded the organization that would become the March of Dimes.

There were, throughout his presidency, occasional mentions of his wheelchair; he himself mentioned it at a speech before the Senate later in life after his presidential term had ended. While this was a relatively open secret, it was part of a strategy of self-presentation; Roosevelt had triumphed over polio, as shown by his ability to stand on his own two feet, even if he required some assistance.

By 1944, Roosevelt’s health was in clear decline, but he continued his run for a fourth term as president. He was suffering from heart conditions, high blood pressure, and increasing lapses in memory. World War II continued, adding to the stress of the presidency. In April, 1945, he retired to the health spa he supported in Warm Springs, Georgia to rest and recover. On April 12, 1945, while sitting for a portrait, he collapsed and died of a cerebral hemorrhage. He was much missed, both by the American public and much of the global community.

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John F. Kennedy

While frequently thought of as among the youngest and most active of presidents, John F. Kennedy suffered from Addison’s disease and a number of other health conditions. Addison’s disease is an adrenal condition causing a lack of adrenaline and other hormones. Symptoms of Addison’s include fatigue, dizziness, muscle wasting and weakening, and changes in mood and personality.

During the 1960 campaign, Kennedy’s opponent uncovered his Addison’s disease; Kennedy released a statement that he did not have Addison’s disease caused by tuberculosis. Approximately 20 percent of cases of Addison’s are the result of tuberculosis, but the matter was dropped thereafter. He had, in fact, been diagnosed with Addison’s disease in 1940, and with hypothyroidism in 1955.

In fact, Kennedy experienced debilitating pain and symptoms from the illness. Today, doctors believe he suffered from autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 2, which caused both Addison’s disease and hypothyroidism. Kennedy had also suffered from colitis for many years.

Kennedy’s illnesses were treated with steroids for colitis, thyroid medications, and hormone therapy to prevent the wasting commonly associated with Addison’s, as well as anti-histamines and even a short course of anti-psychotics. According to Jackie Kennedy, the anti-psychotics were required as a result of a reaction to an anti-histamine. The steroids he relied upon may have helped to provide his year-round suntan and thick head of hair, as well as his well-known high libido. In addition, he relied heavily on anti-anxiety medications, amphetamine shots, and painkillers throughout his presidency. Visits from a doctor later known as “Dr. Feel Good” were common at the White House in the Kennedy years.

While some presidents were less successful at hiding their illnesses, Kennedy is remembered as a young and vigorous president, not as a man who could not climb stairs or put on his own socks without assistance. Kennedy was, of course, assassinated, so there is no way of knowing what health conditions might have impacted him in later life.

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Ronald Reagan

U.S. President Ronald Reagan suffered from a number of age-related ailments; however, the one of the greatest concern was not diagnosed until after his presidency came to an end. Just a few years after Reagan’s term, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and one of his sons and some political scholars believe he began to show signs of the disease while in office.

The early signs of Alzheimer’s disease can be relatively mild, and in an environment with good supports, particularly a high-stress environment, could be overlooked. While there’s no clear answer as to whether or not Reagan had Alzheimer’s, other health issues are much more well-known and acknowledged.

During his presidency, Reagan experienced several severe health issues. The first of these, of course, was a 1981 assassination attempt, in which he was shot in the chest and experienced a collapsed lung and severe blood loss. Those close to him reported that his full recovery required a number of months; however, the impression was given that his injuries were less severe and his recovery faster.

In 1985, Reagan had surgery for colon cancer, and presidential duties were transferred to the vice president for less than eight hours. While the surgery was publicly acknowledged, the word cancer was wholly avoided. In addition, Reagan underwent regular checks for his colon, as well as surgery for an enlarged prostate while in office.

Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1994 and died of pneumonia in 2004.

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