A worm ate a part of his brain Robert Kennedy Jr. nephew of JFK and candidate for the White House in this year’s presidential election, causing him serious health problems, revealed the newspaper New York Times, in a detailed investigation.

Robert Kennedy Jr. is the son of former US Attorney General and presidential candidate Robert “Bobby” Kennedy. In November, he will face, as an independent, Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump.

According to the newspaper, the 70-year-old faced many problems due to the presence of a parasite in his brain. The NYT investigation is based, among other things, on a testimony from him, about his divorce from his second wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy. In this document, which dates back to 2012, the politician states that doctors diagnosed that “a worm entered his brain, ate a part and died.” He then talks about “obvious cognitive problems” and for “loss of long-term and short-term memory”. Kennedy was trying to prove that his earning potential had been diminished by his mental problems.

Mary Richardson Kennedy committed suicide that same year, while the custody battle for their four children continued.

A spokeswoman confirmed that Robert Kennedy Jr. contracted a parasite during one of his trips to Africa, South America or Asia.

“The problem has been solved for over ten years and today he is in a very good physical and mental condition”, added Stephanie Spear. “It’s ridiculous to question the state of Mr. Kennedy’s health, seeing who he’s up against,” she commented, referring to 81-year-old Joe Biden and 77-year-old Donald Trump.

The newspaper also writes that the candidate got mercury poisoning, which can cause neurological problems.

Kennedy could to collect up to 8% in the election, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.