Michael Strahan’s Daughter Isabella Tears Up While Sharing Unexpected Chemotherapy Update
Isabella Strahan is approaching a major health milestone.
In her latest YouTube update, Michael Strahan’s 19-year-old daughter—who is battling cancer—could barely hold back tears as she explained that instead of six rounds of chemotherapy for her medulloblastoma diagnosis, she would only have to go through four rounds.
“These are happy tears,” she said in a video posted April 10. “It’s not even considering crying when it’s happy tears.”
Isabella was especially excited about the news, because having only two more rounds of chemo—she finished her second round in late March—meant that she would be done far earlier than expected.
“I’ll be done in May. And I can kind of try and have a summer to feel better,” she continued. “And I’m so happy cause I thought I’d be done at the end of July. I was supposed to do six rounds in total. And then I really would just have to go straight back to school. I’m so happy.”
The University of Southern California student—who was diagnosed in October with medulloblastoma, a malignant tumor on the base of the brain—has been candid about her health, documenting her cancer journey in a series of YouTube vlogs.
YouTube
In fact, she recently shared some of the more difficult side effect of her chemotherapy, explaining that it become difficult for her to walk and saying in a February vlog after her first round of chemo that, “It felt like someone had just like ripped every single one of my teeth out.”
But as of April 10, Isabella couldn’t be more thrilled with where she was.
“I’m halfway there, I’m halfway done with chemo,” she said with a smile. “And it just makes me really happy. I’m been praying that I’d only have to do four rounds. Now I can’t be even a little bit sad. Because I can do it.”
Keep reading for more about Michael, Isabella and their family.
Instagram (@tanitaa.st)
Daughter Tanita Strahan, Son Michael Strahan Jr. with Ex-Wife Wanda Hutchins
Michael Strahan married Wanda Hutchins in 1992, months before going No. 40 to the New York Giants in the 1993 NFL Draft.
Daughter Tanitha was born Nov. 10, 1991, and son Michael Jr. arrived Sept. 12, 1994.
Wanda and Michael divorced in 1996 and Michael Jr. and Tanita primarily lived in Germany with their mother.
Instagram (@wandafullhomedesigns)
“But from day one, it was very important for me to be active, to be a part of their life,” Michael recalled to People in 2016. “I was constantly on planes and phones. And it’s very hard…But one thing I learned is, you make time for what you want to make time for.”
Still, the Super Bowl winner has admitted to some regrets from his days as a young father.
“I didn’t know what my future was gonna be,” Michael told Brooke Shields on an August 2023, episode of her podcast What Now? “I knew I’d work hard. I knew that if I had an opportunity, I would do my best at it. But it was still tough.”
He was “so young,” the Pro Football Hall of Famer continued, “and having kids and having all the responsibilities, I do look back, and I do wish I did a lot of things better as far as being a parent because I felt like there was so many times I should’ve probably sacrificed certain things in order to be a little bit more present.”
Ida Mae Astute/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images via Getty Images
That being said, Michael continued, “then there are times I’ve looked back, and I think in order to have the life that I’ve been able to provide and give them, I had to sacrifice a lot of things.”
Michael Jr. and Tanita eventually moved back to the U.S. and attended high school in their father’s native Houston, according to People, then studied psychology and art, respectively, in college.
Tanita is “kind of like me in the sense that she has a very strong personality, but a silent strong personality,” Michael told New York Family in 2012. “She’s not going to be one to walk into a room and make it all about her. She definitely has an opinion and she’s very smart and she knows what she wants, which I love about her.”
He called Michael Jr. a “very smart” and “very particular young man.”
Ultimately, Michael said, “I have great kids, and they’re not the kind who look at my life and say ‘Daddy’s this’ and ‘Daddy’s that.’ My kids are interested in making their own way. They have their own personalities and do their own thing. I’m happy to see that.”
Instagram (@tanitaa.st)
Tanita graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in 2014 and, according to her Instagram, is living and working as an illustrator in Los Angeles.
“What an incredible woman she’s become,” mom Wanda wrote of her daughter on Instagram in 2018. “It’s been an absolute privilege to walk the path to adulthood and beyond with her. Creative, determined, and most of all kind.”
On Michael Jr.’s birthday that same year, Wanda wrote, “His sarcastic humor, intelligence, discipline, and kindness inspire me.”
James Devaney/WireImage for Esquire Magazine
Ex-Wife Jean Muggli
Michael met second wife Jean at a New York spa, where she was working at the time.
They married in 1999 and—as the New York Times reported in 2006 when they were in the middle of an acrimonious divorce—signed a prenuptial agreement that set aside 20 percent of Michael’s earnings per year to go to Jean should they break up.
The defensive end signed a seven-year, $46 million contract with the Giants in 2002.
“Personally, getting divorced is probably one of the toughest things I’ve ever gone through,” Michael recalled to People in 2016, “but it was also a learning experience and I learned a lot about myself and I learned a lot about a lot of the people who were around at that time and some aren’t around anymore.”
Jimi Celeste/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Twins Isabella Strahan and Sophia Strahan with Ex-Wife Jean Mugglie
On a sunnier note, Michael and Jean welcomed twin daughters Isabella and Sophia on Oct. 28, 2004.
Isabella, who’s slightly older, is “more playful, very chill, never gets very upset or fired up,” Michael told New York Family. “She’s very, ‘It is what it is.'”
And Sophia as “always asking questions, very curious. They’re both very smart; they love to read all these things I never thought of reading when I was 7 or 8 years old. And they do it because they’re generally interested in it, which is amazing to me.”
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
“My kids have a different upbringing than I had, but the love is the same,” Michael told People in 2016, explaining how he and Jean had been co-parenting in the 10 years since finalizing their divorce. “The belief in them is the same.”
It turned out that Isabella and Sophia, who lived part time with their mom in North Dakota and North Carolina, had inherited the good-on-camera gene from their father.
“The twins live a crazy life,” Michael told People in 2016. “One time they flew out to D.C. and interviewed the first lady for GMA. Then the next day their mom was sending me a video of them riding horses and splashing around in a muddy corn field.”
During the school year, “I get on a plane, and I fly to see my kids,” he continued. “And whenever they get a break, they come to New York. The hardest part is when they leave—the energy in the house is not the same…They’re not the first kids and I’m not the first adult to deal with it, but we’ve all handled it as well as we can.”
Instagram (@michaelstrahan)
“You worry how the kids will mix and blend,” Michael told People, “but brothers and sisters are brothers and sisters regardless of different mothers.”
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
“My kids give me strength,” Michael said. “I love being with the kids. To me it’s all about family, now more than anything.”
Instagram (@michaelstrahan)
Sophia finished up at NYC’s Trinity School in May 2023 and then it was on to Duke University in Durham, N.C.
“You are intelligent, beautiful, and I can’t wait to see all of the amazing things you are going to accomplish at Duke,” the Blue Devil’s dad wrote on Instagram.
Instagram (@michaelstrahan)
The fam celebrated Isabella’s graduation from Convent of the Sacred Heart in June 2023 and Michael cheered the future Trojan on her acceptance to University of Southern California.
“Intelligent, beautiful, and hard-working!!” he posted on Instagram. “I can’t wait to continue to watch you shine!! Love you!”
Instagram / Sophia Strahan
In January 2024, Isabella shared—her dad by her side—that she was undergoing treatment for brain cancer, having been diagnosed with a tumor known as a medulloblastoma the previous October.
Having had surgery and radiation, she still had chemotherapy ahead of her. But, Isabella said in a sit-down with Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, “I’m looking forward to getting back to college and moving back to California and just starting my school experience over. Not over, but just restarting, being back into a routine and something that’s enjoyable.”
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Ex-Fiancée Nicole Murphy
After getting together in 2007, Michael spent five years engaged to Nicole—who shares five kids with ex-husband Eddie Murphy—before they went their separate ways in 2014.
Michael’s rep said at the time, “They love each other very much, but with the distance and work schedule it has been hard to maintain the relationship.”
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
Girlfriend Kayla Quick
Michael has been in a relationship with Kayla, a University of Tampa alum and co-founder of wellness supplement brand FIZZNESS, since 2015.
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