Abdulfattah Jandali: Steve Jobs' Biological Father's Secret Life
— Ironically, Jobs met Abdulfattah Jandali and interacted with him without knowing of his relation; he even patronized a restaurant owned by his own father. The failure to objectify them that is apparent in their interactions translates the essence of missed connections perfectly.
When mentioning Steve Jobs, one imagines the visionary Apple brilliance, the visionary who changed technology and design. Behind the world figure, however, is a finer, lesser-known man, Abdulfattah Jandali, the man widely spoken of as Steve Jobs' dad but rarely seen outside the walls of their residence. Although he is Steve Jobs' biological father, his life is one of achievement, ambition, and remorse in the shadow of his iconic son.
Early Life and Education of Abdulfattah Jandali
Having a successful Syrian Muslim upbringing, Abdulfattah John Jandali prospered comparatively. Steve Jobs father not only owned a property but was a successful businessman as well, and this placed his family in extremely good financial standing. While the family was so placed, though, Jandali was diligent and worked hard as well. He graduated in political science from the University of Damascus before a scholarship allowed him to continue his studies in the United States.
His work led him to the University of Wisconsin finally, where destiny placed him in front of Joanne Carole Schieble, the pregnant mother of Steve Jobs.
Jandali and Schieble both loved one another when they were both in college. Both experienced socially and culturally-inflicted pressures that resulted in tension, such as the fact that Schieble's family was against her marrying a Syrian Muslim man. All these pressures were too much for the love that existed between the two to handle.
They gave birth to a baby boy, Steve Jobs, on February 24, 1955. They adopted him jointly and could not, having relinquished him for adoption. Paul and Clara Jobs adopted Steve Jobs and gave him the life that the world would know.
Steve Jobs' Adoptive Family and Early Life
Paul Jobs, a machinist and Coast Guard veteran, and his wife Clara, of Armenian descent, raised Steve in California. They were the ones who nurtured his curiosity, supported his talents, and provided the foundation for his extraordinary career. Jobs himself often said he considered them his true parents, a sentiment that shaped his personal values.
Abdulfattah Jandali’s Career and Net Worth
Abdulfattah John Jandali led an abundant life in America over the decades, changing from academic to business pursuits. He was an academic scholar, real estate investor, and thereafter a hospitality business executive, vice chairman of Reno's Boomtown Casino and Hotel, among other titles. His personal worth is estimated at $5 million modest compared to that of $10 billion richer Steve Jobs at the time of his death.
The Space Between Father and Son
Father and son were unknown to all but for the majority of their life. Jobs learned of his birth parents later in his life but never felt compelled to meet Abdulfattah Jandali. To their own surprise, they even crossed paths unexpectedly when Jobs entered a restaurant owned by Jandali, but neither of them realized that the other was there.
Jobs' devotion to his foster parents was a primary reason for such alienation. He would still declare, "They were my parents," in a stark emotional solitude.
Conclusion
Steve Jobs' biological father's existence is a gentle reminder that success and love can be built differently. Abdulfattah Jandali may always exist in Steve Jobs' life, but his adoptive parents brought the man admired by everyone on the globe. However, the existence of Jandali,ambition-fueled, fueled by cultural conflict, and stunted by pride, is another strand in the rich tapestry of Apple co-founder.
