In the wake of Steve Jobs’ resignation last week, the New York Post tracked down the former Apple CEO’s biological father, an 80 year-old workaholic Syrian-American who’s vice-president of a Reno, Nevada casino named Abdulfattah John Jandali. According to the Post, Jandali only recently learned that the son he and his then-girlfriend gave up for adoption 56 years ago grew up to be one of the greatest innovators in world history.
Like the son he’s never met, Abdulfattah John Jandali, 80, is an executive — vice president of a Reno casino — and a workaholic determined to avoid retirement at all costs.
But much to his regret, they have one additional thing in common: Each is unwilling to speak with the other.
“This might sound strange, though, but I am not prepared, even if either of us was on our deathbeds, to pick up the phone to call him,” Jandali said.
“Steve will have to do that, as the Syrian pride in me does not want him ever to think I am after his fortune,” he said.
“Now I just live in hope that, before it is too late, he will reach out to me, because even to have just one coffee with him just once would make me a very happy man,” he said.
Jandali told the paper that he wanted to get married and keep the child, but that his ex’s father was mortified by the idea of her starting a family with a Syrian man and forbade it. Jandali adds that he never had more children, but I, for one, am skeptical…