Hitler may have carried rare genetic disorder, DNA study finds

A new study examining what is believed to be Adolf Hitler’s DNA suggests the Nazi dictator may have carried a genetic marker for a rare disorder that can delay puberty.

The research, featured in the documentary Hitler’s DNA: Blueprint of a Dictator, took over four years to complete and was led by geneticist Professor Turi King of the University of Bath, known for identifying the remains of King Richard III.

King confirmed that a fragment of fabric, taken from a bloodstained couch in Hitler’s Berlin bunker where he died in 1945, contained the dictator’s blood. DNA from the blood was matched with a verified relative of Hitler, establishing its authenticity.

The analysis revealed a mutation on the PROK2 gene, linked to Kallmann syndrome, a condition that can disrupt hormone levels and delay puberty. In boys, the disorder may cause low testosterone, undescended testicles, and in rare cases, a smaller penis. “It could have delayed puberty or caused partial puberty,” King explained, adding that the finding aligns with historical records describing Hitler’s health, including notes from his 1923 imprisonment that suggested he had an undescended testicle.

The documentary also addresses persistent rumours that Hitler had Jewish ancestry. King said that because the Y chromosome data matched a male-line relative, the theory of Jewish ancestry through his father is unfounded.

Researchers also calculated a polygenic risk score, which estimates genetic susceptibility to certain conditions. Hitler’s score suggested a higher genetic predisposition to schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism compared with the Danish population. Experts emphasised that these scores are not diagnostic and do not imply that Hitler’s genetics caused his actions. “Genetics is just a small puzzle piece,” King said, noting the dictator’s behaviour was shaped by a complex mix of personal, historical, and societal factors.

While the documentary presents intriguing insights, some scientists have urged caution. The findings have not yet undergone peer review or been published in a scientific journal, making independent verification difficult. Researchers hope the work will appear in a high-profile journal soon.

The bloodstained couch fragment, which started its journey in 1945 with US Army Colonel Roswell P. Rosengren, remained with his family until it was acquired by the Gettysburg Museum of History in 2014. King described the project as both a scientific and historical investigation, adding: “We didn’t know what we were going to find. It could have been the most boring genome on the planet, but it has been incredible.”