'My Dad's Socially Awkward': Bill Gates' Daughter Reveals He Has Asperger’s Syndrome

Last Updated:April 30, 2025, 23:38 IST

Speaking on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Phoebe shared how her father’s personality often made it awkward for men she brought home

Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates with his daughter, Phoebe Gates. (GETTY IMAGES via AFP)

Phoebe Gates, daughter of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, has revealed that her father has Asperger’s syndrome — a condition now recognised as part of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Speaking on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Phoebe shared how her father’s personality often made it awkward for men she brought home.

“For the guy, terrifying. For me, it’s hilarious because my dad’s pretty socially awkward. Like he’s said before, he has Asperger’s. So, like to me, it’s so funny," she said.

Phoebe is the youngest of Bill and Melinda French Gates’ three children. She recently co-founded Phia, an AI-powered shopping app, with her former Stanford University roommate.

Bill Gates on Autism

The 69-year-old tech billionaire has never publicly confirmed a formal diagnosis, however, he has previously acknowledged that he likely falls somewhere on the autism spectrum. In his 2025 memoir ‘Source Code: My Beginnings‘, Gates wrote, “If I were growing up today, I probably would be diagnosed on the autism spectrum."

He reflected on childhood behaviours like becoming intensely focused on projects, struggling with social cues, and being unaware of how his actions affected others. In earlier interviews, Gates had admitted to disliking small talk and preferring solitary work, both common traits associated with ASD.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal in January, Gates had remarked, “This whole thing of Asperger’s or on the spectrum is a fairly new thing, you know? It used to be autism had a fairly narrow definition that was you know clearly identifiable."

Asperger vs Autism difference

Asperger’s syndrome is now considered a high-functioning form of autism. While both autism and Asperger’s involve difficulties with social interaction and repetitive behaviours, those with Asperger’s typically have fewer language delays and above-average intelligence.

Gates joins a growing list of public figures, including Tesla owner Elon Musk, who have openly discussed being on the autism spectrum. In 2021, Musk revealed that he had Asperger’s syndrome.

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