Introduction
Everyone knows Steve Jobs. The Apple co-founder is a global name. But very few know the name Abdulfattah Jandali. This man, a Syrian-born immigrant, was Jobs’ biological father.
While Jobs never had a close relationship with him, Abdulfattah Jandali played a quiet but important part in the background of one of the most famous tech leaders in history.
This is the untold story of Abdulfattah Jandali—a man who gave life to a legend, but remained mostly in the shadows.
Early Life of Abdulfattah Jandali
Abdulfattah Jandali was born in Homs, Syria, in 1931. He came from a well-off family and was raised in a conservative Muslim home. His father was a wealthy landowner and businessman. Jandali showed early signs of intelligence and ambition. Education was always important in his life.
At a young age, he moved to the United States for higher education. He studied at the American University of Beirut before transferring to the University of Wisconsin. This move changed the course of his life forever.
College Days and Meeting Joanne Schieble
In the 1950s, while studying political science at the University of Wisconsin, Abdulfattah Jandali met a young woman named Joanne Schieble. She was a German-American Catholic. They quickly fell in love. But their relationship was not easy.
Joanne’s parents strongly disapproved of her dating a Muslim Arab. This caused great stress between the couple. When Joanne became pregnant, things became even harder. At that time, it was socially unacceptable for an unmarried woman to have a child, especially with someone from a different culture and religion.
The Birth of Steve Jobs
In 1955, Joanne gave birth to a baby boy. That boy was Steve Jobs. Joanne and Abdulfattah Jandali were not married at the time, and they felt unable to raise the child together. So they made a painful decision—they put the baby up for adoption.
Steve Jobs was adopted by Paul and Clara Jobs, a working-class couple from California. They raised him with love and care, and he later credited them as his real parents.
Abdulfattah Jandali and Joanne eventually got married and had another child, Mona Simpson, who would later become a famous novelist. But by then, Jobs had already been adopted and gone.
Life After Steve Jobs’ Adoption
After giving up Steve, Abdulfattah Jandali moved on with his life. He completed his PhD and taught for a short time. But academia didn’t interest him for long. He switched paths and went into business, mostly in hospitality and restaurants.
He managed several restaurants in California and Nevada, including in Las Vegas and Reno. He worked hard and stayed away from public attention. Few people knew about his connection to Steve Jobs during these years.
Abdulfattah Jandali’s Feelings About Steve Jobs
It wasn’t until much later that the truth came out—Abdulfattah Jandali was the biological father of Steve Jobs. When the news became public, Jandali expressed sadness that he had never met his son.
He said in interviews that he didn’t want to disturb Steve’s life. He knew Steve was a private person and didn’t want to force himself into his world. Still, he hoped that one day, they might meet.
Steve Jobs, however, never showed interest in reconnecting. He once said that he did not need to meet his biological parents because he was happy with the ones who raised him.
Relationship with Mona Simpson
Even though he didn’t have a relationship with Steve, Abdulfattah Jandali did keep a connection with his daughter Mona. Mona Simpson wrote a novel based on her family story called Anywhere But Here, which later became a movie. She has spoken publicly about meeting Steve Jobs and her bond with her half-brother.
Her relationship with her father was distant at times, but it existed. Unlike Jobs, she was curious about her roots and wanted to know her biological father.
The Identity Struggle of Abdulfattah Jandali
Throughout his life, Abdulfattah Jandali had a complex identity. He was Arab, Muslim, and an immigrant in a country that often viewed those backgrounds with suspicion.
He spoke about being judged unfairly in business and in life because of his name and appearance.
Despite these challenges, he built a stable life in the U.S. He was proud of his roots but also proud of his American life. He never tried to use Steve Jobs’ name for fame or money. In fact, he stayed quiet most of the time.
Why Steve Jobs Chose Distance
Many people wonder why Steve Jobs never reached out to Abdulfattah Jandali. Some say it was because Jobs felt abandoned.
Others believe it was just part of his personality—Jobs was known for being intense, private, and selective in his relationships.
Jobs once said, “I didn’t know my biological father. He was a political science professor. I didn’t have any interest in meeting him.” This clear statement shows that Jobs had made peace with the decision, even if others had not.
Quiet Retirement and Later Years
In his later years, Abdulfattah Jandali lived a quiet life. He never sought the spotlight, even when the press tried to contact him after Jobs became famous.
He spent most of his time working and staying out of the media. Only a few interviews exist where he talks about his life and his famous son. Even in those, he is respectful and calm. He simply said he was proud of Jobs and wished things had turned out differently.
The Human Side of Abdulfattah Jandali
Despite the headlines, Abdulfattah Jandali was not just “Steve Jobs’ biological father.” He was a real person with hopes, dreams, and regrets. He was a man caught between cultures and times. He made choices that shaped not only his life but also the life of one of the most influential people in history.
He remains a symbol of many things: immigration, sacrifice, lost connections, and the quiet stories behind big names.
Legacy of Abdulfattah Jandali
The legacy of Abdulfattah Jandali is not in the products Apple makes or the speeches Steve Jobs gave. It’s in the untold stories, the what-ifs, and the deeper human truths that families often carry.
Even without fame or a close relationship with Steve Jobs, Abdulfattah Jandali is remembered today because he was part of something bigger. He was the beginning of a story that changed the world.
Conclusion
The story of Abdulfattah Jandali is a quiet one. It’s not filled with fame or recognition. But it is filled with meaning. He lived a full life as a professor, businessman, father, and immigrant. His choices had a lasting impact, even if they were not always easy.
Though Steve Jobs never embraced him as a father, Abdulfattah Jandali never spoke badly about his son. He accepted the distance and respected it. That alone shows his character.
Today, more people are learning his name. And in learning about Abdulfattah Jandali, we understand more about the roots of a man who changed technology forever.