Teresa Heinz Kerry, wife of Secretary of State John Kerry, has been hospitalized with what’s being reported as symptoms consistent with seizures. Heinz Kerry was transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital after being taken by ambulance to Nantucket Cottage Hospital at around 3:30pm ET on Sunday afternoon while vacationing with her husband on the island.

A USA Today source in close contact with the family indicated that the symptoms were reminiscent of a seizure and that Heinz Kerry was in critical condition upon checking into Nantucket Cottage. Once her condition stabilized she was transferred to Mass General in Boston.

Kerry spokesman Glen Johnson said in a statement issued yesterday, “The family is grateful for the outpouring of support it has received and aware of the interest in her condition, but they ask for privacy at this time.”

Teresa Heinz Kerry was born in Mozambique when the African nation was still under Portuguese rule. She quickly gained notoriety after learning five different languages and serving as an interpreter for the United Nations. In 1966 she married Republican Pennsylvania politician H. John Heinze III who served in the House of Representatives and Senate until his unfortunate and untimely death. Heinz was the heir to the H. J. Heinz Company–a food processing company made popular by its Heinz ketchup–and Teresa inherited most of his wealth, estimated to be as hefty as $1 billion.

Senator Heinz died when his small chartered plane collided with a helicopter in 1991. After meeting John Kerry multiple times at various events, the two married in 1995 at his family estate on Nantucket island. During Kerry’s 2004 Presidential campaign, Heinz Kerry controversially switched parties, opting to align with her husband’s Democratic party in favor of her late-husband’s Republicans.

In 2009 Heinz Kerry underwent treatment for breast cancer including lumpectomies in both breasts after a growth was also detected in her right breast.

Image via New York Times