Former Senator Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) announced he is facing a terminal Stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis, delivering the devastating news with characteristic bluntness and unwavering faith during the Christmas season.
Story Highlights
- Ben Sasse, 53, received Stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis last week
- Former Nebraska Republican senator shared news in candid social media post
- Sasse maintains fighting spirit and Christian faith despite terminal prognosis
- Left University of Florida presidency earlier due to wife’s health issues
Sasse Delivers Blunt Cancer Diagnosis News
Ben Sasse announced Tuesday that he received a metastasized, Stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis last week. The 53-year-old former Nebraska senator shared the devastating news through a lengthy social media post, characteristically cutting straight to the point.
“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,” Sasse wrote with his typical directness.
Ex-Sen. Ben Sasse announces Stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis, says he is ‘gonna die’ https://t.co/xqvpnJamQX pic.twitter.com/iTo4hEN2gX
— New York Post (@nypost) December 23, 2025
Conservative Leader Faces Terminal Diagnosis With Faith
Sasse acknowledged the grim reality of his condition while maintaining perspective rooted in his Christian faith. “Advanced pancreatic is nasty stuff; it’s a death sentence. But I already had a death sentence before last week too — we all do,” he explained.
The former lawmaker emphasized his support system, noting he is “blessed with amazing siblings and half-a-dozen buddies that are genuinely brothers.” He pledged to fight the disease, stating “I’m not going down without a fight” while expressing hope in medical advances in immunotherapy.
Career Defined by Conservative Principles and Service
Sasse served two terms in the Senate before retiring in 2023 to become president of the University of Florida. His departure from politics came amid frustration with Washington dysfunction, seeking to impact conservative values through higher education.
Before his Senate tenure, Sasse demonstrated commitment to conservative academic principles as president of Midland University in Nebraska and as a professor at the University of Texas. He also served as assistant secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services, building expertise in healthcare policy.
Family Health Challenges Shape Recent Decisions
Sasse stepped down from his University of Florida presidency after just over a year due to his wife Melissa’s health struggles. She received an epilepsy diagnosis accompanied by new memory issues, prompting Sasse to prioritize family over career advancement.
The former senator noted he has spent recent months growing closer with his wife and celebrating his children’s achievements. He continued teaching at the university’s Hamilton Center while managing family responsibilities, demonstrating his commitment to both education and family values.
Sasse joins other prominent political figures who have battled pancreatic cancer, including the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who died from the disease in 2021 after a four-year fight.
The Nebraska conservative emphasized that his Christian faith provides comfort during this difficult season, noting that “the weeks running up to Christmas are a time to orient our hearts toward the hope of what’s to come.”
