These Presidents And World Leaders Hid Their Health Problems

John F. Kennedy Kept His Life-Threatening Disease Secret

Photo Credit: Boston Globe / Contributor

Some politicians are able to hide their health issues better than others. John F. Kennedy was one of them. Although he was young when he took office and projected an image of youth and energy, he was afflicted by serious medical problems. Most notably, Kennedy suffered from Addison’s disease, which is a life-threatening and incurable condition that affects the adrenal glands. With the help of his aides, he was able to conceal his illness from the public.

Kennedy also suffered from chronic back pain and severe anxiety and eventually developed an addiction to painkillers, stimulants, and antianxiety medications. He was assassinated on November 22, 1963, at just 46 years old.