Tulsi Gabbard has opened up about her husband Abraham Williams’ battle with a rare form of cancer, saying he is progressing well after undergoing treatment and surgery.
In a video shared first with CBS News, Gabbard said doctors discovered a rare tumor called sacral chordoma after Williams began experiencing back pain. The cancer developed on his tailbone, according to CBS News.
The diagnosis became a major turning point for Gabbard and her family. In May, she announced that she would step down as director of national intelligence under President Donald Trump, citing her husband’s cancer diagnosis and her decision to support him through treatment. Her resignation became effective June 30.
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Gabbard said the discovery came after Williams sought medical attention for persistent back pain. Doctors subsequently identified the tumor, leading to surgery and an extended recovery process.
For Gabbard, the diagnosis also meant stepping away from one of the most powerful national-security positions in the U.S. government. She described the experience as difficult for both of them. “It was tough,” Gabbard told CBS News.
Doctors are confident that the cancerous tissue was removed, but Williams continues to undergo rehabilitation and regular scans as part of his recovery, according to reports. Sacral chordoma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the bones of the lower spine and pelvis. Because of its location, treatment can involve complex surgery and long-term monitoring.
In her May resignation announcement, Gabbard said Williams had been a source of strength throughout their marriage and that she could not ask him to face the cancer battle alone while she remained in a demanding government position.
Williams, a Hawaii-based cinematographer, married Gabbard in 2015 in a traditional Vedic Hindu ceremony.
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Gabbard has long had a connection to the Hindu American community. She became the first Hindu American member of Congress when she was elected to represent Hawaii in 2012, a distinction that has made her a notable figure for Hindu Americans and the broader Indian American community.
Her latest comments shift attention away from Washington politics and toward a deeply personal chapter in her family’s life.
Gabbard said Williams is making progress, but indicated that his recovery is ongoing. The couple will continue to navigate rehabilitation and medical monitoring as he moves forward with treatment.