Jamie Oliver’s wife Jools Oliver says undiagnosed ADHD and autism affected 45 years of her life

The clothing brand owner shared her diagnoses with friends and family through her 50th birthday invitation

Jools Oliver, the wife of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, has spoken candidly about being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism, saying that years without understanding her neurodivergence took a significant toll on her life.

The clothing brand owner discussed her experiences on the Lessons From Our Mothers podcast, describing the emotional exhaustion of spending decades believing her difficulties had another explanation.

“I think, actually, it’s ruined, so far, 45 years of my life thinking it’s something else,” Jools said. She added that living with neurodivergence was draining and difficult, rather than the superpower it is sometimes portrayed as.

The 51 year old revealed that she decided to tell friends and family about her diagnoses through the invitation to her 50th birthday party last year. She explained that social situations can be particularly challenging because of her social anxiety and introverted personality.

Jools recalled telling Jamie that she wanted to be open about not feeling comfortable in highly social settings, despite sometimes appearing outgoing. She said some people did not attend the celebration after she shared this side of herself, but she chose to accept that response.

After receiving her ADHD diagnosis, Jools pursued an autism assessment because she recognised similarities between her own behaviours and those of her children, who have also been diagnosed with autism.

She also discussed her concerns about taking prescribed medication, explaining that health anxiety had made her hesitant. She said she had obtained the medication but remained frightened about possible consequences.

Jools described experiencing emotions intensely and wondered how neurodivergence might interact with menopause, which she said could make her experiences more difficult.

Jamie previously spoke about his wife’s neurodivergence during a 2025 appearance on Davina McCall’s Begin Again podcast. He praised her kindness, humour and support for their family while acknowledging that life could be challenging for her.

The couple married in 2000 and have four children. Jools’s account highlights the difficulties some adults face when receiving neurodevelopmental diagnoses later in life, particularly after years of trying to understand their experiences without a clear explanation.