Top 16 famous people with Klinefelter syndrome you probably didn't know about

Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic disorder that occurs when a baby boy is born with an extra X chromosome, resulting in XXY instead of XY. The condition is often diagnosed in adulthood. Many prominent people are living with this condition, but it has not stopped them from succeeding. Who are the famous people with Klinefelter syndrome?

Klinefelter syndrome (47, XXY) is a condition that affects men who are born with an extra X chromosome, resulting in an XXY sex chromosome karyotype. Most men don't realize they have this condition because its symptoms are mild. Famous people with Klinefelter syndrome have proven that the condition does not define their success.

Overview of famous people with Klinefelter syndrome

Read also

GWR: QueenLet's vocals fatigued as GWR sing-a-thon attempt enters day 4

Famous people with Klinefelter syndrome

Symptoms of Klinefelter syndrome include having wider hips, less facial and body hair, fewer muscles, and developmental delays in childhood. In severe cases, the men will have a small manhood.

Additionally, people with this condition tend to experience infertility, low sex drive, and learning disorders. The condition is easily manageable with appropriate medical care and support.

Approximately one in about 500 to 800 male children are born with Klinefelter syndrome annually. The syndrome affects all social classes, including prominent and influential individuals. Here is a look at famous people with Klinefelter syndrome you probably did not know about.

1. George Washington

• Full name: George Washington
• Date of birth: 22 February 1732
• Date of death: 14 December 1799
• Age at death: 67 years
• Place of birth: Westmoreland County, Virginia, United States

George Washington was the first President of the United States of America from 1789 to 1797. He was a soldier and statesman. It is alleged that George Washington had Klinefelter syndrome, with some even speculating that he was infertile and his two children were adopted.

Read also

Sweden seeks to be winemaking's next frontier

In addition to his purported sterility, Washington's physical characteristics also supported this claim. However, there is no documented proof that he suffered from Klinefelter syndrome.

2. Lili Elbe

• Full name: Lili Ilse Elvenes
• Date of birth: 28 December 1882
• Date of death: 13 September 1931
• Age at death: 48 years
• Place of birth: Vejle, Denmark

Lili Elbe was a prominent Danish painter whose birth name was Einar Andrea Magnus Wegner. She changed her name to Lili Elbe in 1931 after undergoing sex transition surgery because she reportedly had Klinefelter syndrome.

Lili was castrated in 1930 by Dr Ludwig Levy-Lenz, which considerably encouraged rumours that she had the syndrome. Her feminine-appearing body shape, face, and legs fueled curiosity regarding her condition. Lili Elbe died in 1931 while undergoing a uterus implant. She did not have any biological children.

3. Caster Semenya

Read also

Evans Akwasi Antwi: University of Ghana graduate begs for job online: "My siblings depend on me"

• Full name: Mokgadi Caster Semenya
• Date of birth: 7 January 1991
• Age: 33 years (as of August 2024)
• Place of birth: Ga-Masehlong, Limpopo, South Africa

Castor Semenya is a famous South African middle-distance runner and Olympics gold medalist. It is rumoured that she has Klinefelter syndrome, mainly due to her physical appearance.

However, her condition has never been disclosed publicly. Many say that Caster Semenya should not be permitted to compete with other women due to her high testosterone level, which gives her an upper hand in athletics.

She has faced numerous challenges in her career, including a mandatory medical examination under the guise of a doping test and being placed on medications to reduce her testosterone levels. The athlete and her wife, Violet, welcomed a child through artificial insemination.

4. Tom Cruise

• Full name: Thomas Cruise Mapother IV
• Date of birth: 3 July 1962
• Age: 62 years (as of August 2024)
• Place of birth: Syracuse, New York, United States

Read also

Ras Nene set to build ten-bedroom project, announces that he's into real estate

Tom Cruise is one of the most influential and famous people with Klinefelter syndrome. He is a renowned actor who has won many accolades for his work. For many years, it has been rumoured that Tom has Klinefelter syndrome, although there is no evidence to support this allegation.

He is tall and has a rounded body type and wide hips, which are some of the symptoms of this condition. Additionally, Tom Cruise is not the biological father of his three children and allegedly suffers from dyslexia (another symptom of Klinefelter).

5. Janet Mock

• Full name: Janet Mock
• Date of birth: 10 March 1983
• Age: 41 years (as of August 2024)
• Place of birth: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Janet Mock is an author, activist, and television host. She is reported to have Klinefelter syndrome and is an activist for transgender rights. Janet Mock was born as Charles and underwent a gender reassignment process. Although many people have asked intrusive questions, she refuses to answer personal questions regarding her physique on television and in interviews.

Read also

Brave Ghanaian SHS student tattoos his entire body amid GES concerns

6. Lauren Foster

• Full name: Lauren Foster
• Date of birth: 4 December 1957
• Age: 66 years (as of August 2024)
• Place of birth: Durban, South Africa

Lauren Foster is a South African supermodel born in Durban. She was diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome at a young age. Her family was very supportive and went out of their way to accept her as a girl. She began hormone therapy at 17 and underwent gender affirmation surgery a year later.

Foster found acceptance and continued to grace the glossy pages of the industry's leading fashion publications, although a tabloid once published a story identifying her as a man. Lauren Foster is an LGBTQ community advocate on her social media platforms.

7. Caroline Cossey

• Full name: Caroline Cossey
• Date of birth: 31 August 1954
• Age: 70 years (as of August 2024)
• Place of birth: Brooke, Norfolk, England

Read also

Poisoned by arsenic, and with no way out, Peruvians live in fear

Caroline Cossey is a famous model from Britain. She was born Barry Kenneth Cossey and is popularly known by her stage name, Tula. In 1981, she appeared in the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only. Following her appearance in the film, it was revealed that she is a transgender person.

Growing up, she was uncertain about her sexuality. Her peers constantly bullied her due to her feminine appearance. Caroline Cossey was diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome at 17 and began hormone therapy shortly after.

8. Jaime Lee Curtis

• Full name: Jamie Lee Curtis
• Date of birth: 2 November 1958
• Age: 65 years (as of August 2024)
• Date of birth: Santa Monica, California, United States

Jaime Lee Curtis is a famous Hollywood actress, author, blogger, and activist who reportedly was born with an intersex disorder. Some individuals believe she was born a man with Klinefelter syndrome.

Read also

Sadio Mane: Senegal star excited, celebrates teenage wife as she graduates

There has been widespread speculation that Jaime Lee Curtis underwent sex reassignment to appear more feminine. She has frequently neglected to answer questions regarding this allegation. Some argue that her parents gave her a gender-neutral name so that it would fit her regardless of whether she transitioned to a woman.

9. Dr Renée Richards

• Full name: Renée Richards
• Date of birth: 19 August 1934
• Age: 90 years (as of August 2024)
• Place of birth: New York City, New York, United States

One of the famous people with Klinefelter syndrome is Dr Renée Richards. She is an American author, ophthalmologist, and former tennis player. She is also a transgender activist who pioneered the rights of transgender people in sports.

She competed professionally in the 1970s and gained widespread recognition after undergoing sex reassignment surgery to participate as a woman in the 1976 US Open. However, she was barred from doing so because of new legislation requiring female contestants to have only two X chromosomes.

Read also

Young GH boy opens up about life as a student: "I regret buying university forms"

10. Michael Phelps

• Full name: Michael Fred Phelps II
• Date of birth: 30 June 1985
• Age: 39 years (as of August 2024)
• Place of birth: Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Retired competitive swimmer Michael Phelps is the most decorated swimming Olympian of all time. He has won 28 medals, including 23 Olympic gold medals, throughout his career.

He holds the all-time records for Olympic gold medals, Olympic gold medals in individual events, and Olympic medals in individual events. Some people have argued that Michael has a genetic flaw that makes him the greatest.

11. Floyd Mayweather Jr.

• Full name: Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr.
• Date of birth: 24 February 1977
• Age: 47 years (as of August 2024)
• Place of birth: Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a retired American professional boxer. He is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, boasting an undefeated record throughout his career and winning multiple world titles in various weight classes. There have been unverified claims that Floyd Mayweather Jr. has Klinefelter syndrome.

Read also

Who is Teddy Swims' wife? Everything we know about his relationship with Cassidie Cottone

12. Richard Branson

• Full name: Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson
• Date of birth: 18 July 1950
• Age: 74 years (as of August 2024)
• Place of birth: Blackheath, London, England

Richard Branson is among the celebrities who have Klinefelter syndrome. Born Richard Charles Nicholas Branson, he is a British entrepreneur and philanthropist from Blackheath, London, England. Sir Richard Branson heads the British multinational venture capital conglomerate.

13. Tony Robbins

• Full name: Anthony Jay Robbins
• Date of birth: 29 February 1960
• Age: 64 years (as of August 2024)
• Place of birth: North Hollywood, California, United States

Tony Robbins is an American author, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. The author was allegedly diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome as a teenager. This information is yet to be verified. Tony Robbins who, at 6'7", looks like he could have been a former professional athlete, was once short and frail.

Read also

The top 30 white female rappers you should listen to in 2024

14. Veronique Francoise Caroline Renard

• Full name: Veronique Francoise Caroline Renard
• Date of birth: 26 May 1965
• Age: 59 years (as of August 2024)
• Place of birth: Netherlands

Author and visual artist Véronique Françoise Caroline Renard is one of the famous people with Klinefelter syndrome. The Dutch author is the daughter of Annie Garda Van Unen and Wilhelmus (Wim) Gerardus Renard.

She underwent sexual reassignment surgery in 1982, making her the youngest person in the Netherlands to undergo this procedure. Her autobiography, Pholomolo: No Man, No Woman, describes her struggles as a transgender woman.

15. Charles Barkley

• Full name: Charles Wade Barkley
• Date of birth: 20 February 1963
• Age: 61 years (as of August 2024)
• Place of birth: Leeds, Alabama, United States

Former professional basketball player Charles Barkley now works as a television sports analyst on TNT and CBS Sports. There are unverified claims that the retired basketballer was diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome as a child.

Read also

20 funniest clean comedians you need to know, ranked

15. Brooke Moore

• Full name: Brooke Moore
• Place of birth: United States of America

Beauty blogger Brooke Moore was born Bradley. It quickly became clear that she was unlike other little boys. The older she got, the more she did not feel like she fitted in with the other boys and desperately wanted to be treated as one of the girls.

At 16, she left school and changed her name to Brooke. It was not until her early 20s that she found out that her body transitioned itself because of a rare chromosome disorder called Klinefelter’s syndrome.

Can females have Klinefelter syndrome?

Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic condition found in males only. Females can only get Turner syndrome which results when one of the X chromosomes is missing or partially missing.

What is the difference between XXY and XYY?

People with Klinefelter syndrome have XXY chromosomes. Those with XYY syndrome often have macrocephaly and macro-orchidism (a large head and large testes.

Read also

King Javien Conde: The untold truth about Erica Mena’s Son

Who are some famous intersex actors?

River Gallo, Lisa Lee Dark, Eden Atwood, Laura Vila Kremer, Arisleyda Dilone, Alec Butler, Hida Viloria, and Sean Saifa Wall are among the famous actors who are intersex.

How tall are men with XXY?

Adults with Klinefelter syndrome are usually taller than non-affected adult males. They tend to reach a mean height of about 185cm. XXY males also tend to have disproportionately long arms and legs.

Can XXY males get pregnant?

No, they cannot get pregnant. Studies show that 95% - 99% of XXY men are infertile because they do not produce enough sex cells to fertilize an egg naturally.

Are there any famous people with Klinefelter syndrome?

Famous people with Klinefelter syndrome include Caster Semenya, George Washington, Brooke Moore, and Veronique Francoise Caroline Renard.

Does Adele have Klinefelter's?

Singer Adele does not have Klinefelter syndrome. However, Adele Markham has the syndrome. For 28 years, Adele was known as Matthew and was living as a man until a stunning medical discovery revealed her true sexual identity.

Read also

Meet Kane Brown's parents: The untold story about Kane Brown's dad and mom

Can you live a normal life with Klinefelter syndrome?

With the right medical care, early intervention, and ongoing support, a person with Klinefelter syndrome can lead a normal, healthy, and productive life.

What is the life expectancy of a man with Klinefelter's syndrome?

The life expectancy of a person with Klinefelter syndrome is reduced by five to six years compared to that of an unaffected person. People diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome at a younger age tend to have a shorter lifespan. This is possibly because diagnosis at an earlier age is associated with a more severe phenotype.

Throughout history, there have been famous people with Klinefelter syndrome. The syndrome did not stop them from achieving great success and inspiring others.

Yen.com.gh recently published a list of beautiful actresses in their 40s who are still making it big in Hollywood. For more than a hundred years, Hollywood has been the ultimate destination for millions of talented actors and actresses.

Actresses in their 40s are making waves in the entertainment scene, boasting decades of experience in Hollywood. However, their careers have not always been smooth sailing, as they have to face fierce competition from young actresses to maintain global respect and admiration.

Source: YEN.com.gh