Jamie Oliver has disclosed that his wife Jools is neurodivergent, alongside some of their children. The 50-year-old chef, who has struggled with dyslexia his entire life but was only formally diagnosed in January, shared that the past year has seen several family members receive diagnoses for conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Speaking to The Sunday Times magazine, Oliver declined to name which of his five children are neurodiverse but emphasised that understanding their conditions has made him and Jools "better" parents. He described family life as "amazing but bonkers," adding: "Imagine four neurodiverse people at the dinner table trying to get their point across."
Reflecting on turning 50 on May 27, Oliver admitted the milestone felt "a bit s***" but expressed determination to prioritise his health. He plans to celebrate with "a mini festival, a rave in the vegetable patch" at his Essex home, calling in favours from fellow chefs. Looking ahead, he hopes to "get old cooking" and mentor younger chefs.
Oliver and Jools will mark their 25th wedding anniversary later this month. When asked about the secret to their happy marriage, he advised: "Don't have high expectations. You'll be let down all the time. Set them correctly and you'll get nice surprises. Don't hold grudges, hang around and it might work itself out."
