Former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse disclosed on Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer that has reached stage four.
Personal Announcement
The 53-year-old politician shared the news through a social media post, describing the diagnosis as essentially a "death sentence." He wrote: "Friends - This is a tough note to write, but since a bunch of you have started to suspect something, I'll cut to the chase: Last week I was diagnosed with metastasized, stage-four pancreatic cancer, and am gonna die."
Political Background
Sasse served Nebraska in the Senate from 2015 until 2023, when he left to assume leadership at the University of Florida. He departed from that university position in July 2024, explaining that family health concerns prompted his decision. He is married to Melissa and they have three children together.
In his message, Sasse reflected: "This is hard for someone wired to work and build, but harder still as a husband and a dad."
Spiritual Perspective
He added further thoughts: "There's not a good time to tell your peeps you're now marching to the beat of a faster drummer — but the season of advent isn't the worst. As a Christian, the weeks running up to Christmas are a time to orient our hearts toward the hope of what's to come."
Senate Record
During his Senate tenure, Sasse maintained conservative positions while occasionally criticizing former President Trump. Following the January 6, 2021 Capitol disturbance, he joined six other Republican senators in voting "guilty" during Trump's impeachment trial, though the conviction effort failed to achieve the required two-thirds majority.
Education and Response
A Nebraska native whose parents worked in education and coaching, Sasse completed undergraduate studies at Harvard before pursuing further education at Oxford and St. John's College. He ultimately earned his doctoral degree in history from Yale University.
News of his diagnosis prompted reactions from former congressional associates. Texas Senator John Cornyn responded: "Thanks for reminding us, Ben, it is how we live not how long we live that counts."
