“Steve Jobs’ biological father said in an interview that he regrets putting the recently resigned Apple CEO up for adoption and would like to meet him before he dies,” IBTimes reports.
“Abdulfattah John Jandali, a Syrian immigrant who now works as a vice president at a casino in a Reno, Nev., and Joanne Simpson are Jobs’ biological parents. But they gave Jobs up because Simpson’s father didn’t approve of her marrying a Syrian, although the couple did eventually marry and have children after Simpson’s father died,” IBTimes reports. “‘Her father was a tyrant, and forbade her to marry me, as I was from Syria,’ Jandali told The Daily Mail. ‘I honestly do not know to this day if Steve is aware of the fact that had it been my choice, I would have loved to have kept him.'”
“Amidst reports of Jobs’ deteriorating health, Jandali said that he would like to speak to Jobs, but he’s hesitant to initiate the interaction for fear of appearing opportunistic,” IBTimes reports. “‘I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t sadden me to have not been part of my son’s incredible journey,’ Jandali added. ‘What father wouldn’t think that? And I would think that even if he was not the head of a hugely successful company. Now I just live in hope that, before it is too late, he will reach out to me, because even to have just one coffee with him just once would make me a very happy man.'”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews readers too numerous to mention individually for the heads up.]
This should be a completely private conversation between the two parties. Going public in these cases can backfire.
Yes, this is an enormously personal and poignant development for all involved; however my empathy for Steve, Dad and Mom move me to pipe in with my two cents, as it appears all were victims of an unspeakable racist mindset. Perhaps dad should have been stronger and more determined to stand by his son… who can say, as the times are different than they were 50 odd years ago. None-the-less, opportunistic or not I’d want to see my son, and hope I’d been forgiven before I passed on… we all make mistakes.
For me if I was in that situation, I would have no desire to see people who gave me up for adoption. What’s the point after all these years? They would be just strangers to me. They are not my parents period. They are not my family.
It’s too easy to assume the worst in people. Who hasn’t put stuff off until it’s too late?
Johnny Appleseed for the win! And nobody cares what you would do in the same situation. You don’t even know. Be glad you don’t.
Man this stuff is nobody’s business. If Mr. Jobs wants to meet his biological father, that’s his decision to make. Leave gossipy stuff to the rag mags.
@cbj & HughB
Did you see the word “probably” in my post. I do know that if his father hasn’t seen Steve in 57 years, there is some alienation.
Its a private matter that should that should be dealt with privately.
btw…..I’m no steve jobs worshiper and could care less if they meet or not.
Tacky shit. This sad, personal story does not belong in the public domain.
Hey, Abdulfattah, nothing says “I missed you” like a liver donation…
“Her father was a tyrant,…”
Well, now we know where that trait came from.
Not saying that like it’s a bad thing in Steve’s case.
My sister and I both were given up as children and she would never speak to our mother for principle sakes and I think Steve made his choice and has no regrets we can’t choose our parents but they can choose to raise or abandon I don’t believe in the I didn’t have a choice statement
If you were truly abandoned, like on a doorstep, etc. that is sad. If you were given up for adoption, your mother thought this through and just wanted you to have a better life than she could afford to or was capable of giving you. Abandon is sad, but adoption is the ultimate unselfish love decision.