First lady Melania Trump underwent kidney surgery for a benign condition at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, the White House announced Monday afternoon.
The embolization procedure was successful, according to the White House, but President Donald Trump's wife is also expected to remain at the medical center for the rest of the week. The announcement came from the first lady's staff; no previous reports indicated she was undergoing any type of procedure or receiving medical treatment.
BREAKING: White House announces First Lady Melania Trump underwent an embolization procedure to treat a benign kidney condition. The procedure was successful and there were no complications.
— Ryan Nobles (@ryanobles) May 14, 2018
"The First Lady looks forward to a full recovery so she can continue her work on behalf of children everywhere," part of the statement released by her office read.
The 48-year-old Melania Trump reportedly had an "issue" with her kidney but is expected to recover. She isn't the only first lady to have a surgery while at the White House. Nancy Reagan, the wife of the 40th president, Ronald Reagan, had a mastectomy in October 1987, according to CNN. President Jimmy Carter's wife, Rosalyn, also had surgery in April 1977 to have a benign lump removed from her breast, and Betty Ford, Gerald Ford's wife, was diagnosed with breast cancer when her husband took office in September 1974.
President Trump reportedly did not leave the White House while his wife was in surgery. According to CBS News, he is expected to visit Melania Trump later today.
Per @StephGrisham45: The president is expected to visit @FLOTUS at Walter Reed today.
— Arden Farhi (@ArdenFarhi) May 14, 2018
The procedure took place a week after the first lady announced her "Be Best" initiative, aimed at helping children and teaching them "about the importance of a healthy and balanced life," she said during a press conference. She promised to tackle cyberbullying as well.
