Phoebe Gates Reveals Father's Asperger's Syndrome on Podcast

Phoebe Gates, the daughter of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, revealed on the Call Her Daddy podcast that her father has Asperger's syndrome, a disclosure he has never made publicly himself. This offhand remark quickly sparked debate on social media, with some users questioning whether the comment constituted self-diagnosis and noting that traits like social awkwardness and intense focus do not necessarily indicate being on the autism spectrum. Although Bill Gates has not responded to his daughter's comment, he has previously stated that he identifies with traits on the autism spectrum and believes he would likely be diagnosed with autism if evaluated as a child today. In his memoir, Gates described childhood experiences of social difficulty and intense focus, supporting the idea that he relates to some characteristics of autism spectrum disorder. Medical experts note that Asperger's is now considered part of the broader autism spectrum, and the term is no longer an official diagnosis. The revelation has fueled public curiosity about Gates's private life and neurodiversity in high-achieving individuals.