Cindy McCain Recovering After Mild Stroke, UN World Food Program Confirms
Cindy McCain, the widow of late U.S. Senator John McCain and current Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), is recovering after suffering a mild stroke earlier this week, the organization confirmed in a statement on Thursday.
According to the WFP, McCain, 71, is “recovering well” and expected to make a full recovery. She will temporarily step away from her official duties while recuperating in Arizona. The agency added that she will return to her role in approximately four to six weeks, once cleared by her doctors.
“I want to thank the medical staff in Italy for the excellent treatment I received,” McCain said in the statement. “My recovery is progressing well thanks to their outstanding care.”
McCain experienced the health episode while in Rome, where the WFP’s global headquarters is based. The organization emphasized that her condition is stable and that its leadership remains focused on ongoing humanitarian operations around the world during her absence.
Leading the Fight Against Global Hunger
Appointed to head the World Food Program in March 2023, McCain oversees the world’s largest humanitarian organization dedicated to addressing global hunger. Prior to her appointment, she served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations agencies for food and agriculture under President Joe Biden’s administration.
McCain became a respected bipartisan figure in American politics after breaking ranks with the Republican Party to endorse Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election — a decision that came after years of public criticism of her late husband by then-President Donald Trump. Her leadership at the WFP has since been widely recognized for its focus on humanitarian cooperation, food security, and cross-border diplomacy.
Under McCain’s guidance, the WFP continues to provide lifesaving assistance to nearly 150 million people worldwide, addressing hunger crises fueled by conflict, natural disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Her leadership has also drawn attention to worsening global food shortages stemming from the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Spotlight on Gaza and Global Food Crises
In August 2025, McCain visited Gaza amid escalating humanitarian concerns. She described the situation as “very evident” that there wasn’t enough food in the region and urged world leaders to act swiftly.
“I personally met mothers and children who were starving in Gaza,” she said at the time. “It is real and it is happening now.”
McCain also confirmed that she had spoken directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about increasing humanitarian aid and easing restrictions to allow food deliveries into the conflict-stricken territory.
Her remarks came just days after the world’s leading food security organization declared that Gaza’s largest city was already in famine and warned the situation would worsen without a ceasefire and immediate aid access.
A Legacy of Compassion and Leadership
Throughout her career, McCain has been a vocal advocate for vulnerable populations, especially children. Beyond her diplomatic and humanitarian work, she has served on the board of Operation Smile, a nonprofit that provides surgeries for children with facial deformities in developing countries. Her humanitarian missions have taken her to India, Morocco, and Vietnam, among others, where she has personally participated in aid initiatives.
McCain succeeded David Beasley, the former governor of South Carolina, who led the WFP through the COVID-19 pandemic and the global food supply crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Under Beasley’s leadership, the organization was awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to combat hunger and prevent the use of food as a weapon of war.
Since taking over, McCain has worked to modernize WFP operations, strengthen global partnerships, and advocate for sustainable food systems that address both immediate hunger and long-term agricultural challenges.
Continuity in Leadership
During McCain’s recovery, Carl Skau, the WFP’s Deputy Executive Director, will temporarily manage the organization’s daily operations. Skau, a seasoned Swedish diplomat, has been instrumental in coordinating emergency food aid to countries facing acute food insecurity.
In Thursday’s statement, McCain expressed complete confidence in her team’s ability to maintain the organization’s momentum.
“I have full confidence in our leadership team to stay laser-focused on delivering urgently needed food assistance to the more than 100 million people WFP is working to serve across 87 countries,” she said.
She reaffirmed her commitment to returning to the field soon, adding: “The fight against hunger has never been more critical, and I am incredibly proud of the work our teams do every day. I look forward to being back alongside WFP teams, pushing back against famine, and supporting communities in need.”
The World Food Program’s Ongoing Mission
Founded in 1961, the United Nations World Food Program is the leading humanitarian agency focused on food assistance. Each year, the WFP responds to global emergencies ranging from war and displacement to natural disasters and economic crises.
With the world facing record levels of food insecurity, the agency estimates that nearly 783 million people go hungry daily. McCain has often spoken about the urgent need for global unity in tackling hunger, framing food as both a human right and a cornerstone of peace and stability.
Her leadership has emphasized not only delivering emergency aid but also developing long-term solutions — such as improving supply chains, supporting small-scale farmers, and building climate resilience in vulnerable regions.
Looking Ahead
While Cindy McCain focuses on her recovery, her colleagues, supporters, and global humanitarian partners have expressed admiration for her resilience and lifelong dedication to service. Her temporary absence, they say, will not slow the WFP’s mission to save lives and build a world free from hunger.
As the WFP continues its critical operations under interim leadership, McCain’s message remains clear: the work of fighting hunger must go on — and she intends to return to it as soon as possible.