Assad, is reportedly battling leukemia, an aggressive cancer of the bone marrow and blood, and has a 50-50 chance of survival.

According to the report, Asma al-Assad has been isolated and kept from others in order to prevent infections or contracting other illnesses.

Kremlin also denies that UK-born 'Desert Rose' requested to leave Moscow, where the Assad family fled as rebels took Damascus

Assad, the wife of then-Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. It was titled "A Rose in the Desert," and in the words of Joan Juliet Buck, the writer, Asma was "the freshest and most magnetic of first ladies".

Asma Assad, the former Syrian first lady and wife of deposed President Bashar al-Assad is reportedly under medical observation after being diagnosed with leukemia. According to several media reports,

The wife of deposed Syrian leader Bashar Assad is severely ill with leukaemia and has been given a 50/50 chance of survival, media reports have claimed. Asma Assad is being isolated to prevent infection and cannot be in the same room as other people,

Asma Assad, wife of ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad, is critically ill with leukaemia and has a 50/50 chance of survival.

Earlier reports – denied by the Kremlin – suggest Asma al-Assad wants to divorce her husband and leave Russia for treatment in London.

Assad, wife of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, who is reportedly gravely ill with leukemia. Her battle has cast a shadow over her life as she remains isolated for treatment in Moscow, according to Ziare.