Renowned conservative intellectual and Hoover Institution senior fellow Victor Davis Hanson has publicly announced that he will undergo a significant surgical procedure. The 72-year-old author and historian shared this personal health update during a recent episode of his podcast, Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.
A Major Health Challenge After Months of Uncertainty
Hanson revealed that the upcoming operation, scheduled for Tuesday, December 30, follows what he described as a lengthy and complex medical journey lasting nearly nine months. Speaking with candor to his audience, he framed the situation in direct terms. "I'm having a major operation, and I've got a major problem, and I'm going to have a major effort to solve it, and that's all I can do," Hanson stated.
He emphasized that the extended period leading to a diagnosis was not due to any lapse in care but because his condition proved exceptionally difficult to identify. "It's been a nine-month odyssey. The problem I had was very hard to diagnose, so it's no one's fault. It's been diagnosed through biopsy and everything else," he explained. Hanson is receiving treatment at the Stanford Medical Center, which he praised as the finest facility available to him.
Decision to Go Public and Message to Supporters
The historian noted that he had been hesitant to discuss his health publicly but chose to address it after receiving numerous comments from concerned listeners and viewers about changes in his appearance and a hoarse voice. Despite the inherent uncertainty surrounding a major surgery, Hanson struck an optimistic and duty-bound note for his followers.
"I'll be fine. At least, I'll do my best for everybody because I think I have an obligation to all of our readers and listeners that I get wonderful letters from," he affirmed, highlighting his deep sense of responsibility towards his audience.
Who is Victor Davis Hanson?
Victor Davis Hanson is a prominent American classicist, military historian, and conservative political commentator. Born on September 5, 1953, in Selma, California, his academic roots run deep with a PhD in Classics from Stanford University. Before his celebrated career in academia and commentary, he worked as a farmer on his family's land in the San Joaquin Valley.
His scholarly work, including influential books like The Western Way of War and Carnage and Culture, argues for the decisive role of cultural values in Western military success. As a senior fellow at Stanford's Hoover Institution, his influence extends into contemporary political debate, where he is a frequent contributor to Fox News and major publications. Hanson, a recipient of the National Humanities Medal, is known for his robust defense of Western traditions and has been a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump.
His personal life has been marked by profound tragedy, including the loss of his youngest daughter to leukemia. He continues to live and write from his family farm in California's Central Valley.
