History of Suleika Jaouad in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 23, 2025

Suleika Jaouad is an American author, advocate, and speaker. She gained recognition for her "Life, Interrupted" column in The New York Times and contributions to various publications like Vogue and NPR. Jaouad's memoir, Between Two Kingdoms, chronicles her battle with leukemia and became a New York Times Best Seller, further solidifying her role as a voice for those navigating illness and adversity.

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Full Timeline

2010: Graduation from Princeton University

In 2010, Suleika Jaouad graduated from Princeton University with an AB with highest honors, having majored in Near Eastern studies and double-minored in French and gender studies.

2011: Diagnosis with Leukemia

In 2011, Suleika Jaouad was diagnosed with a rare form of acute myeloid leukemia, and doctors gave her only a 35% chance of surviving.

2014: Beginning of Relationship with Jon Batiste

In 2014, Suleika Jaouad began her relationship with musician Jon Batiste, after they met as teenagers at band camp.

June 2019: TED Talk Release

In June 2019, Suleika Jaouad's TED Talk, entitled "What almost dying taught me about living," was released.

2020: Earning MFA from Bennington College

In 2020, Suleika Jaouad earned an MFA in writing and literature from Bennington College.

December 2021: Cancer Recurrence and Second Bone Marrow Transplant

In December 2021, Suleika Jaouad announced that her cancer had returned, and she underwent a second bone marrow transplant.

2021: Publication of "Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted"

In 2021, "Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted" was published by Random House. The memoir discusses Suleika Jaouad's cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted

Check it on Amazon

2021: Publication of "Between Two Kingdoms"

In 2021, Suleika Jaouad's memoir "Between Two Kingdoms," which covers her struggle with leukemia, was published and became a New York Times Best Seller.

Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted

Check it on Amazon

February 2022: Marriage to Jon Batiste

In February 2022, Suleika Jaouad married musician Jon Batiste.

April 2022: Revelation of Marriage

In April 2022, Suleika Jaouad and Jon Batiste revealed in a television interview that they had married in February 2022.

2023: Feature in "American Symphony" Documentary

In 2023, Suleika Jaouad was featured in the documentary film "American Symphony", which captures her fighting the return of her cancer while her husband, Jon Batiste, is composing his first symphony.

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