Microsoft co-founder and billionaire Bill Gates may have just had a long-rumored personal condition confirmed—by his own daughter.
During an appearance on the popular podcast Call Her Daddy this week, Phoebe Gates, a 22-year-old Stanford University student, openly stated that her father has Asperger’s syndrome, a condition on the autism spectrum that affects millions of people worldwide.
“My dad is pretty socially awkward. He’s said he, you know, has Asperger’s,” Phoebe told host Alex Cooper during the interview.
She added, in a moment of candid humor, that bringing boyfriends home to meet Gates is often nerve-wracking for them because of her father’s unique personality. “Bringing a guy home is terrifying for the guy. It’s also kind of hilarious for me,” she joked.
Though Bill Gates has never formally announced a medical diagnosis, he has acknowledged exhibiting traits associated with Asperger’s and the broader autism spectrum. In his 2023 memoir Source Code, Gates openly discussed his lifelong struggles with social interaction and extreme focus on specific interests—both hallmark characteristics of Asperger’s.
“I was a hyper-focused kid. I would get so lost in what I was doing, I’d forget to eat,” Gates wrote. “I probably would’ve been diagnosed today, and that’s not a bad thing—it’s part of who I am.”
His daughter’s offhand comment may have merely confirmed what Gates has long hinted at himself: that he identifies with the behaviors and experiences common to those with Asperger’s syndrome, even if he’s never made an official public statement about a diagnosis.
@dailymail Bill Gates' daughter casually let slip that her billionaire father has Asperger's syndrome. The Microsoft co-founder has never confirmed such a diagnosis himself but in his memoir he recounted how he struggled with social interactions as a child and often became hyper focused on specific interests – classic characteristics of Asperger's. 🎥 Call Her Daddy #news #billgates #health #usa #microsoft ♬ original sound – Daily Mail
Asperger’s Syndrome—now considered part of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)—is estimated to affect over 37 million people globally. Those with Asperger’s often have average to above-average intelligence but struggle with social communication, nonverbal cues, and may develop obsessive interests.
Gates, known for his laser-like focus and introverted nature, fits this profile to many. He joins a list of high-profile individuals who have spoken publicly about being on the autism spectrum, including:
Elon Musk, who revealed his autism diagnosis while hosting Saturday Night Live in 2021; Actor Anthony Hopkins, who has spoken about being diagnosed later in life; Comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who has said he identifies with autistic traits; And even historical figures such as Albert Einstein and Benjamin Franklin, whom some researchers have retroactively speculated may have been on the spectrum.
Though Gates himself still hasn’t publicly confirmed a formal diagnosis, his daughter’s casual admission has reignited public interest in his personality quirks—and perhaps shed new light on how his neurological traits may have contributed to his outsized success in tech and philanthropy.
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