Nadine Menendez, the wife and co-defendant of Sen. Robert Menendez, has been diagnosed with breast cancer, the Democratic lawmaker revealed on Thursday during his trial on federal corruption charges. The senior senator from New Jersey made the announcement in a statement shared with NBC News, responding to constant press inquiries and reporters following his wife.

"Nadine is suffering from Grade 3 breast cancer, which will require her to have mastectomy surgery. We are, of course, concerned about the seriousness and advanced stage of the disease," Menendez stated. "She will require follow-up surgery and possibly radiation treatment. We hope and pray for the best results. We ask the press and the public to give her the time, space, and privacy to deal with this challenging health condition as she undergoes surgery and recovery."

This disclosure comes shortly after Menendez's defense attorney shifted some blame to Nadine during the senator's trial in Manhattan federal court. Both Menendez and his wife are charged in a case alleging a yearslong scheme to accept hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of gold bars, stacks of cash, and other bribes in exchange for political favors.

In April, a judge severed Nadine Menendez's trial from her husband's and postponed it until at least July, following her lawyers' citations of undisclosed medical issues at that time. The trial for Menendez and two New Jersey businessmen, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, commenced on Monday.

Defense attorney Avi Weitzman, representing Robert Menendez, informed the 12-person jury in his opening statement that the senator was unaware of his wife's financial troubles and was "sidelined" from her financial issues. Weitzman argued that Nadine Menendez had financial concerns that she kept from her husband, emphasizing that the gold bars found during an FBI search of their home were located in "Nadine’s closet."

Weitzman urged jurors to consider what Robert Menendez knew about his wife's actions, even displaying a graphic from a "Where’s Waldo?" book, altered to read "Where’s Bob?" to reinforce his point. He insisted that Menendez "took no bribes," and that his actions were part of his duties as a senator, aimed at helping his constituents.

Contrastingly, U.S. Attorney Laura Pomerantz argued that Menendez "put his power up for sale" and used his wife as a "go-between." In her opening statement, she described Menendez as being "on the take" and "motivated by greed," stating that this case was not "politics as usual," but "politics for profit."

The charges against Menendez and his wife allege a sophisticated corruption scheme involving bribes in exchange for political favors. The trial's spotlight on these accusations has drawn significant media attention, further complicating Nadine Menendez’s personal health battle.

This revelation about Nadine Menendez's health adds another layer of complexity to an already high-profile case. The couple's legal battles and Nadine's health condition have intertwined, drawing public scrutiny and raising questions about the personal and professional lives of those involved.

Sen. Robert Menendez, 70, has served as a U.S. senator since 2006 and has been involved in several significant political events and controversies throughout his career. This latest development adds to the ongoing narrative of his legal and political journey, particularly with the added emotional and personal strain due to his wife's serious health diagnosis.