Jools Oliver ADHD Diagnosis: She Says It's No Superpower and Menopause Is a Double Nightmare

It's no superpower

Jools Oliver has spoken publicly about her ADHD and autism diagnoses for the first time, on the Lessons From Our Mothers podcast hosted by Cressida Bonas and Isabella Branson. The episode came out on 25 October 2026 and was picked up by UK press over the next two days.

She's 51. The ADHD diagnosis itself isn't new — she said it was about four years ago. What is new is her talking about it openly.

On living for decades without knowing, she said: "I just think it's quite draining. I think it's tiring. I think, actually, it's ruined, so far, 45 years of my life thinking it's something else. It's no superpower. It's just a drain and it's just really hard work."

How she found out

After her ADHD diagnosis, she sought an autism assessment once a couple of her children were diagnosed with autism. "But we found out a couple of our children had autism. So then I thought, my god, that sounds like me. So I went for that. I've got that as well."

That route — recognising yourself in your child's diagnosis — will sound familiar to a lot of adults diagnosed later in life.

Menopause on top

She also talked about how hard it can be to tell what is neurodivergence and what is hormones.

"Sometimes you don't even know, or is it just the menopause? Am I just going through the menopause and I'm really going bonkers? I think when you do have neurodiversity, menopause is a double nightmare."

That overlap is something a lot of women with ADHD recognise. We covered related early research this morning in ADHD medications and perimenopause brain fog.

Owning it at fifty

She told friends and family on the invitation to her 50th birthday party last year. "My 50th birthday invite, I decided to come out."

She said a lot of people didn't come and were turned off, but thought: "Well, this is me."

She has been prescribed ADHD medication, but said she doesn't currently take it because of health anxiety. "I've got the medication, but I don't want to take it because I'm scared due to health anxiety that something will happen. It's just one ongoing situation."

That's her choice to describe, not a recommendation either way. Medication decisions belong with you and your GP or specialist.

Closer to her children

One thing she was clear about was the bond with her autistic children: "There's such a bond in understanding with the ones that do have autism because I can go, 'Yeah, I get you. I got it. I understand completely.'"

If you were diagnosed in midlife, or you're still waiting, you're not alone. Late diagnosis is one of the most common stories for women with ADHD — and hearing someone say plainly that decades of "thinking it's something else" took a toll is why pieces like this land.

Sources

• Jamie Oliver's wife Jools says not knowing she had ADHD 'ruined' life for 45 years - The Independent, Jacob Stolworthy, 27 October 2026
• 'It's draining': Jools Oliver, 51, reveals her ADHD diagnosis - Women's Health UK, Lauren Geall, 26 October 2026
• Jamie Oliver's wife Jools shares health diagnosis after condition 'ruined 45 years of my life' - The Standard, 27 October 2026