Anthony Hopkins Dismisses Autism Diagnosis Claim: “All Nonsense”
By Zoe Papadakis | Monday, 03 November 2025 01:08 PM EST
Anthony Hopkins has rejected his wife Stella Arroyave’s suggestion that he may be on the autism spectrum, calling modern mental health labels “fashion.” The 87-year-old Oscar winner told The Sunday Times that his wife once proposed he might have Asperger syndrome due to his personality traits. “I’m obsessed with numbers. I’m obsessed with detail. I like everything in order. And memorizing,” Hopkins said. “Stella looked it up and she said, ‘You must be Asperger’s.'” He dismissed the idea, stating, “I didn’t know what the hell she was talking about. I don’t even believe it.”
Asperger syndrome is no longer a formal diagnosis, having been integrated into autism spectrum disorder since 2013. Hopkins criticized the trend of labeling mental health conditions, calling them “nonsense” and “rubbish,” and added, “It’s just being a human being, full of tangled webs and mysteries.” He also reflected on his strained relationship with his daughter Abigail Hopkins, describing their separation as “the saddest fact of my life and my greatest regret.”
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer, and editor for newspapers, magazines, and websites.
