Howie Mandel Gives Update on Grandson’s Remission After Leukemia (Exclusive)

Howie Mandel is giving an update on his grandson’s health.

The America’s Got Talent judge, 69, spoke with PEOPLE on Thursday, Sept. 24, at the America’s Got Talent Season 20 finale and shared that although it’s been a long journey, his grandson Axel, 9, is “doing good” after his leukemia diagnosis.

“He’s doing good. It’s a journey and it’s rough at times that I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy,” Mandel tells PEOPLE. “But he’s in remission right now, and we just hope and pray and take care of him each and every day.”

“Science is fantastic and the people at Children’s Hospital have been wonderful,” adds Mandel.

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Back in September, Mandel and his daughter Jackelyn Shultz appeared on In Depth with Graham Bensinger and revealed that Jackelyn’s son, Axel, was previously diagnosed with leukemia and is now in remission.

Mandel went on to explain that their family learned how to cope with the diagnosis since it was “really specific,” given the fact that Alex has an autoimmune issue. He also acknowledged that this was the first time the family had publicly shared Axel’s diagnosis.

The father-daughter duo recalled the backlash they faced when Shultz wore a mask while filming their podcast, Howie Mandel Does Stuff. She wore a mask whenever a guest had a cold to keep both her and Axel healthy amid his cancer treatment.

“I got such hate in vitriol they thought it was because I didn’t agree with their politics or whatever,” Schultz explained. “And I was just, in my mind, I’m like, ‘They have no idea what I’m going through right now. They have no idea that I’m just trying to be able to go visit my son in the hospital.’”

Mandel chimed in to explain that Axel is doing better and is in remission right now. “But he had to have a bone marrow transplant from his sister,” he said as his daughter began to tear up. 

As Schultz wiped away tears, she explained that she’s tried to cope by trying to “not think of it and move on.”

“And we’re very fortunate because he is doing really really well right now,” she said. “But that was definitely the lowest point in my whole entire life.

Shultz shares Axel and Abbey, 11, with husband, Alex Shultz. Mandel is also father to son, Alex, 33, and daughter Riley, 31. He recently became a grandfather of three, after Riley welcomed a daughter, Noa, in March 2024.