15 famous Women with Autism

Last updated January 05, 2025

1. Temple Grandin, Ph.D.

 Temple Grandin said “Autism’s an essential part of me. I think logically, and I wouldn’t want to change that,” she said in an interview. “But my primary identity is being a scientist, animal behavior specialist.” Autism spectrum disorder, which affects one’s ability to communicate and interact with others to varying degrees, can be found in 1 in every 68 births in the U.S.

• Career: Animal science professor, autism advocate, and inventor.
• Journey: Diagnosed with autism at a time when understanding was limited. Despite social struggles, she earned a Ph.D. in animal science and revolutionized livestock handling with her inventions.
• Struggles: Social communication challenges and discrimination.
• Achievements: Author of several books and the subject of an Emmy-winning HBO biopic.

2. Susan Boyle

In April 2009, Susan Boyle, a middle-aged church volunteer from a small town in Scotland, auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent with her favorite song “I Dreamed a Dream”—and it captured the world’s attention for her soaring vocals and humble personality.

Though she could not achieve success, Boyle went on to release seven albums, including 2009’s I Dreamed A Dream, which became the fastest-selling U.K. debut of all time and skyrocketed to the top of the Billboard charts.

The rise to fame came as a surprise to Boyle, who was born in 1961 and often faced huge struggles as a child. At 51 she was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, which is a form of autism. Boyle became a headline on her international singing tour and appeared in everything from a musical based on her own life to Zoolander 2.

• Career: Singer.
• Journey: Diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome later in life. Gained fame on Britain’s Got Talent at age 47.
• Struggles: Bullying in childhood and struggles with self-esteem.
• Achievements: Multi-platinum albums and Grammy nominations.

3. Daryl Hannah

Daryl Hannah is an American actress known for her vibrant roles in Wall Street, Splash, Kill Bill, and Steel Magnolias. Hannah revealed that she had been struggling with Asperger’s syndrome for years due to extreme social anxiety. The actress was diagnosed as a child and recalls doctors prescribing numerous medications and even suggesting institutionalization.

• Career: Actress and environmental activist.
• Journey: Diagnosed with autism as a child but pursued acting despite being advised against it.
• Struggles: Extreme shyness and difficulty with public appearances.
• Achievements: Starred in iconic films like Splash and Kill Bill.

4. Hannah Gadsby

Comedian Hannah Gadsby was diagnosed with autism in adulthood. At first, she struggled to understand the diagnosis since she was not aware that women and girls could have autism.

• Career: Comedian and writer.
• Journey: Diagnosed with autism in adulthood. Gained prominence with her Netflix special Nanette, which blended comedy with personal storytelling.
• Struggles: Mental health issues and societal misunderstandings.
• Achievements: Won an Emmy and a Peabody Award.

5. Greta Thunberg

World-famous environmental activist Greta Thunberg has spread her message through viral Twitter posts. In 2019, she sailed across the Atlantic in a carbon-neutral boat rather than flying.

While her activism focus has been primarily on climate change, Thunberg has also written candidly about her autism diagnosis, saying that she is different but comparing those differences to superpowers.

• Career: Climate activist.
• Journey: Diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, she began climate strikes at age 15, inspiring millions worldwide.
• Struggles: Public scrutiny and criticism.
• Achievements: TIME Person of the Year (2019) and other international awards.

6. Dawn Prince-Hughes

After repeatedly being bullied in school, and it leads her to run away from home at just 15. this decision makes her homeless.

That a-ha moment launched her career as an anthropologist — she eventually got her master’s and Ph.D. degrees in interdisciplinary anthropology, went on to work with the Jane Goodall Institute, and published a slew of books, including Songs of the Gorilla Nation: My Journey Through Autism.

Prince-Hughes, who was born in 1964, was diagnosed with autism at 38 and argues that her work with gorillas helped her develop coping mechanisms for her Asperger’s syndrome.

7. Danielle Punter

• Career: Model and advocate.
• Journey: Diagnosed as an adult. Became one of the few openly autistic models in the industry.
• Struggles: Discrimination and navigating the fashion industry.
• Achievements: Featured in campaigns promoting neurodiversity.

8. Heather Kuzmich

Heather was Born in Chicago in 1986. As a contestant on America’s Next Top Model in 2007 Heather rose to fame and finished as fourth runner-up. Kuzmich opened up about her autism during her time on the reality series, which she was diagnosed with when she was 15. Kuzmich faces difficulty with some of the challenges within the competition.

• Career: Model and reality TV star.
• Journey: Gained fame on America’s Next Top Model while being openly autistic.
• Struggles: Anxiety and social challenges.
• Achievements: Advocates for autism awareness in the modeling world.

9. Jessica-Jane Applegate

Applegate, who was born on August 22, 1996, became the first British woman with Asperger’s syndrome to win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games in her 15. Applegate won gold in the Women’s 200m freestyle at the London Games with three more medals.

• Career: Paralympic swimmer.
• Journey: Diagnosed with autism at 15, she excelled in competitive swimming.
• Struggles: Navigating the competitive sports environment.
• Achievements: Gold medalist in the Paralympics.

10. Liane Holliday Willey

Willey, who was born in 1959 was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at 35. As a child, she found extreme discomfort in unfamiliar places, noise, and people who came too close to her. Later she wrote numerous inspiring self-help books for autistic people and taught at the university level for over 15 years.

Willey earned a doctorate in education, with a specialty in psycholinguistics. And worked to motivate similar people.

• Career: Author and educator.
• Journey: Diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in adulthood. Writes about autism experiences.
• Struggles: Misunderstandings in relationships and professional life.
• Achievements: Influential works in autism literature.

11. Phillipa Margaret Brown, aka Ladyhawke

Phillipa Margaret Brown also known as “Ladyhawke” (A film character name) was Born in New Zealand in 1979.

Brown’s childhood was spent engrossed in music due to her Asperger’s diagnosis. But her knack for the guitar led her to earn multiple awards at the 2009 New Zealand Music Awards.

12. Kerry Magro

• Career: Speaker, author, and autism consultant.
• Journey: Diagnosed with autism as a child. Overcame significant speech delays.
• Struggles: Early communication difficulties.
• Achievements: Published multiple books and works on inclusive projects in Hollywood.

13. Donna Williams

Donna, who was born in Australia in 1963, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 25. She was called “deaf,” “disturbed” and “stupid” as a child and was faced with truly embracing experiences.

Williams published the international bestseller Nobody Nowhere: in 19992 (The Remarkable Autobiography of an Autistic Girl). Later Williams published more books focused on autism and became an international public speaker and autism consultant. 

• Career: Author, artist, and musician.
• Journey: Diagnosed with autism in adulthood. Became a leading voice in autism advocacy.
• Struggles: Severe sensory issues and misdiagnoses.
• Achievements: Published Nobody Nowhere, an international bestseller.

14. Chloe Hayden

• Field: Acting and Advocacy
• Achievements: Starred in Heartbreak High and became an advocate for neurodivergent representation.
• Struggles: Faced social rejection and struggled with mental health in her teens.

15. Paula Sanchez

• Field: Fashion
• Achievements: First openly autistic model to walk at New York Fashion Week.
• Struggles: Overcame barriers in a highly competitive and social industry.

References:

• Autism Spectrum Disorders. (April 2021). World Health Organization (WHO). 
• Seven Famous People with Autism Spectrum Disorder. (August 2020). PsyCom.
• Cascio, C. J., Foss-Feig, J. H., Heacock, J., Schauder, K. B., Loring, W. A., Rogers, B. P., Pryweller, J. R., Newsom, C.
• Famous – with Autism. AUTISM COMMUNITY NETWORK (ACN). (2013). https://www.autismcommunity.org.au/famous—with-autism.html.
• Frye R. E. (2018). Social Skills Deficits Biological Origins and Progress in Developing Therapeutic Agents. CNS drugs, 32(8), 713–734. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-018-0556-y
• History’s 30 Most Inspiring People on the Autism Spectrum. Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide. (2017, September 22).
  https://appliedbehavioranalysisprograms.com/historys-30-most-inspiring-people-on-the-autism-spectrum/.
• Kettler, S. (2019, August 20). Matthew Labyorteaux. Biography.com. https://www.biography.com/actor/matthew-labyorteaux.
• Moore, C. (2021, June 8). 7 Famous People With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Healthgrades. https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/autism/7-famous-people-with-autism-spectrum-disorder.
• Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, July 11). Ghostbusters. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghostbusters.