First Lady Melania Trump was hospitalized on Monday morning and underwent surgery. According to a press release from the White House, the First Lady underwent a kidney procedure and will remain hospitalized for the remainder of the week. Few details on Mrs. Trump’s condition are known at this time outside of a brief statement issued by the White House.
‘This morning, First Lady Melania Trump underwent an embolization procedure to treat a benign kidney condition,” the first lady’s communications director, Stephanie Grisham, said in a statement. “The procedure was successful and there were no complications. Mrs. Trump is at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and will likely remain there for the duration of the week. The First Lady looks forward to a full recovery so she can continue her work on behalf of children everywhere.”
Melania is the first United States First Lady to undergo a serious medical procedure while in the White House since Nancy Reagan had a mastectomy in October 1987. Betty Ford was the first First Lady to undergo a serious procedure while in office after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Weeks later, Ford underwent a mastectomy.
Rosalynn Carter is the other First Lady to undergo a major surgery, having a benign lump removed from her breast in 1977.
It was just last week that the 48-year-old Trump announced her “Be Best” campaign. “We can and should be best at educating our children about the importance of a healthy and balanced life,” she said at the time of the announcement in the Rose Garden.
President Donald Trump, who remained at the White House during the First Lady’s surgery, is expected to travel to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland later in the day.
This is a developing story and more information will be added as it becomes available. Refresh for updates.