Hitler’s DNA reveals possible genetic disorder tied to sexual and social behavior

Adolf Hitler most likely suffered from Kallmann syndrome, a genetic disorder that can manifest as undescended testicles and a micropenis, researchers and documentarians said Thursday, following DNA testing of the Nazi dictator’s blood.

The new research also disproves the suggestion that Hitler had Jewish ancestors.

Popular songs from World War II often mocked Hitler’s anatomy, but lacked any scientific basis.

The findings of an international team of scientists and historians now appear to confirm long-held suspicions about its sexual development.

“No one has ever really been able to explain why Hitler was so uncomfortable around women throughout his life, or why he probably never had intimate relationships with women,” said Alex Kay of the University of Potsdam.

“But now that we know he had Kallmann syndrome, this could be the answer we were looking for,” he said.

The research findings are featured in a new documentary, “Hitler’s DNA: A Dictator’s Plan,” which is due to be broadcast on Saturday.

The tests revealed a “high probability” that Hitler had Kallmann syndrome and “very high” scores – in the top 1% – for predisposition to autism, schizophrenia and biopolar disorder, said the program’s creators, Blink Films.

The research team emphasized that such conditions could not, however, explain or excuse Hitler’s hawkish or racist policies.

It is estimated that more than 50 million people died during World War II, including six million Jews who were systematically murdered.

No Jewish grandfather

The tests were made possible after researchers obtained a sample of Hitler’s blood from a piece of tissue taken from the sofa on which he committed suicide.

Kallmann syndrome often results in “low testosterone levels, undescended testicles and can result in a micropenis,” Blink Films said.

The DNA results further rule out the possibility that Hitler had a Jewish grandfather through his grandmother, who was rumored to have become pregnant by an employer where she worked.

“DNA analysis debunks this myth by showing that the Y chromosome data matches the DNA of Hitler’s male relative. If he had Jewish ancestry (through an outside relationship), this match would not be there,” the production company added.

Geneticist Turi King, known for identifying the remains of medieval King Richard III and who also worked on the project, said Hitler’s genes placed him in a category of people often sent to the gas chambers by the Nazis.

“Hitler’s policy was entirely based on eugenics,” said the ancient and forensic DNA expert from the University of Bath in western England.

“If he could have looked at his own DNA…he definitely would have sent himself,” she said.

The two-part documentary is set to debut on Britain’s Channel 4 on Saturday.

© 2025 AFP