Rare hormonal disorder, micropen*s, undescended testicles: What Hitler’s DNA tells us | Explained

A picture dated 1939 shows German Nazi Chancellor Adolf Hitler giving the nazi salute during a rally next to "Deputy Furhrer" Rudolf Hess. AFP PHOTO / FRANCE PRESSE VOIR (Photo by FRANCE PRESSE VOIR / AFP)

German dictator Adolf Hitler most likely suffered from a rare genetic condition known as Kallmann Syndrome, according to new findings by a team of international researchers and documentary makers. The same DNA analysis also concluded that Hitler did not have Jewish ancestry, AFP reported.

The findings are part of a new documentary titled “Hitler’s DNA: Blueprint of a Dictator”, which is set to air on Sunday. The research combines genetic testing with historical analysis, offering new insight into the dictator’s physical and psychological health.

According to AFP, DNA samples containing Hitler’s blood revealed evidence of Kallmann Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects hormone production and sexual development. The condition can result in underdeveloped sexual organs and infertility.

Historian Alex Kay of the University of Potsdam told AFP that the discovery could help explain aspects of Hitler’s behaviour that have long puzzled researchers. “No one has ever really been able to explain why Hitler was so uncomfortable around women throughout his life, or why he probably never entered into intimate relations with women,” Kay said. “But now that we know he had Kallmann Syndrome, this could be the answer we’ve been looking for.”

The testing was made possible after researchers obtained a sample of Hitler's blood from a piece of material taken from the sofa on which he shot himself.

Kallmann Syndrome often results in "low testosterone levels, undescended testicles and can result in a micropenis", Blink Films said.

The DNA results additionally rule out the possibility that Hitler had a Jewish grandfather via his grandmother, who was rumoured to have got pregnant by an employer in whose house she worked.

"Analysis of the DNA debunks this myth by showing that the Y chromosome data matches the DNA of Hitler's male line relative. If he had Jewish ancestry (through an outside relationship), that match wouldn't be there," the production company added.

The study also settles one of the oldest and most persistent rumours about Hitler’s ancestry. For decades, speculation has circulated that Hitler’s grandmother became pregnant by a Jewish employer, making him part Jewish. However, the DNA analysis ruled out that theory.

“Analysis of the DNA debunks this myth by showing that the Y chromosome data matches the DNA of Hitler’s male line relative. If he had Jewish ancestry (through an outside relationship), that match wouldn’t be there,” the production company behind the documentary explained.

Geneticist Turi King, best known for identifying the remains of England’s medieval King Richard III, also worked on the project. King told AFP that the findings were deeply ironic, given Hitler’s own racial and eugenics policies.

“Hitler’s policies are completely around eugenics,” said King, who teaches ancient and forensic DNA studies at the University of Bath in western England. “If he had been able to look at his own DNA… he almost certainly would have sent himself,” she added.

According to the programme makers, the genetic testing also revealed a “high likelihood” that Hitler had Kallmann Syndrome and showed “very high” scores, among the top one percent, for predispositions to autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.

The researchers behind the project stressed that none of these genetic conditions can justify or explain Hitler’s violent ideology or the atrocities committed during his rule.

Hitler’s totalitarian regime led to World War II, one of the deadliest conflicts in history, which killed an estimated 50 million people, including six million Jews who were systematically murdered during the Holocaust.