Cakemaker to Kennedys, Mariah Carey, and Oprah — How Sylvia Weinstock Survived Cancer, Changed Her Career, and Created Her Own Success After Age 50

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Weinstock became known as one of the most iconic bakers in history through her impressive cake designs. She founded acclaimed wedding cake shop Sylvia Weinstock Cakes in New York. Her rise to fame wasn’t necessarily conventional, as she didn’t even start her cake business until she was 50-years-old, shortly after her battle with breast cancer. However, her worldwide success is a testament that no matter your age, or the challenges you face along the way, you can always achieve your dreams.

Weinstock’s Breast Cancer Battle

Her first experience with cancer began in 1980, when she felt a lump in her breast. She was instructed by a doctor to keep an eye on it but she didn't like the prospect of not taking action and insisted on a having a biopsy. Her intuition was right, and cancer was detected. She then went through a mastectomy and entered remission.

Prior to her breast cancer battle, Weinstock had been working as an elementary school teacher for her entire life. However, after going through breast cancer, it changed her entire perspective and inspired her and her husband to move to New York City and start their cake business.

Related: 6 Years Have Passed Since Angelina Jolie's Preventative Double Mastectomy Here's What You Need To Know About Inherited Risk For Breast Cancer

"Cancer changed my life for the better," Weinstock told SurvivorNet in a previous interview. "It gave me a better perspective. It taught me a couple of things … that you cherish what you have, not what you don't have. And that you strive to make each day wonderful and you also try to make everybody else's life wonderful."

Sylvia Weinstock talked to SurvivorNet about how cancer changed her life for the better

Sylvia Weinstock’s Lung Cancer Battle

While Weinstock’s battle with breast cancer changed her life completely, it wouldn’t be the only cancer battle she would face. A few years ago, Weinstock was diagnosed with lung cancer despite never being a smoker. Not only that, but the diagnosis came while her husband was extremely ill. To be there for her husband and also focus on treatment, Weinstock decided to shut down her legendary cake business. Despite the unimaginably difficult time, Weinstock still was able to stay positive and learn from the experience.

Related: Quitting Smoking Early Pays Off: New Research Finds that Smokers Who Quit By 45 Reduce Their Excess Lung Cancer Risk by 87%; Tips For Quitting

“I went to Weill Cornell, and then I said, I have to leave, because my husband’s dying,” Weinstock previously told SurvivorNet. “So I walked out on the second day with stitches, and I went home to be with my husband as he died. Then I went back to have the stitches removed and to have the lung operation. This is all in 12 days. I had a bad week between a hernia operation, a husband who died, and the lung operation all within 12 days.”

Sylvia Weinstock shares her lung cancer story and losing her husband

Despite stepping away from her cake business just a few years ago, Weinstock recently came out of retirement to construct a six layer wedding cake for actress Jennifer Gates’ wedding.  Gates is the daughter of Bill and Melinda Gates.

Gates remembered the late baker on Instagram Tuesday.

“Getting to know this incredible woman, pioneer and baking legend was the biggest blessing,” she captioned the picture. “Sylvia, your zest for life, passion, creativity, and generosity will never be forgotten.”

Weinstock is a true example of how positivity, resilience, and perseverance can help you achieve your dreams and push through extremely difficult times.

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