I still remember the first time I stumbled across the name Joanne Schieble Simpson. I was reading a biography about Steve Jobs—yes, the visionary Apple founder we all know—and tucked between the pages was this quiet, powerful story about his birth mother. At that moment, I realized that behind one of the most influential figures in modern technology was a woman whose own life had its own share of strength, sacrifice, and heartache.
It got me thinking about how some of the most remarkable people in history often remain hidden in the shadows of their famous children. Joanne’s story isn’t just about being Steve Jobs’s biological mother—it’s about choices, courage, and compassion during a time when society wasn’t exactly kind to women in her position.
Let’s take a closer look at who Joanne Schieble Simpson really was, and why her story deserves to be told.
Who Was Joanne Schieble Simpson?
Joanne Schieble was born in 1932 in Wisconsin. She came from a conservative Catholic family, and as a young woman, she was known for her intelligence and quiet determination. Her life took an unexpected turn when she met Abdulfattah “John” Jandali, a Syrian political science student. The two fell in love during college, but their relationship faced immense cultural and familial pressure.
When Joanne became pregnant in 1954, her father—strict and traditional—disapproved of her relationship with Jandali. Because of that, Joanne made the incredibly difficult decision to give her baby up for adoption. That baby, of course, would later become Steve Jobs, the man who would go on to revolutionize technology, design, and culture.
It’s hard not to imagine how heavy that choice must have been. I can’t even picture what it would feel like to hold your newborn child and know you had to say goodbye. It wasn’t just a personal decision—it was shaped by the social and moral expectations of her time.
A Woman Ahead of Her Time
Joanne’s story might seem like it belongs to another era, but her decisions were quietly radical. She wasn’t just giving up her child because she didn’t care; she was trying to protect him and give him opportunities she couldn’t provide at the time.
Later on, she married Jandali, the very man she had been kept from, and together they had another child—Mona Simpson, who would later become a celebrated novelist. Yes, that’s right—Steve Jobs and Mona Simpson were biological siblings!
Mona’s writing often hints at themes of family and loss, perhaps reflecting the complex dynamics surrounding her mother’s earlier decision. Joanne’s life became more private after that, but her quiet resilience carried through everything she did.
What really fascinates me is how her legacy influenced both her children, even though they grew up in very different worlds.
The Emotional Weight of Choice
When I think about Joanne Schieble Simpson, I think about courage.
Not the loud, public kind—but the kind that happens in silence.
She was a woman who made choices that were unthinkable for many in the 1950s. Giving up a child wasn’t just emotionally painful—it carried a social stigma that could follow a woman for life. But she believed adoption would offer her son a better chance, and that selflessness is something that deserves recognition.
In my own life, I’ve seen how decisions made out of love can be misunderstood by others. A few years ago, a close friend of mine gave up her baby for adoption because she knew she couldn’t provide the stability she wanted for him at that time. Watching her wrestle with that choice gave me a new appreciation for women like Joanne—strong, self-aware, and deeply loving even in heartbreak.
Lessons from Joanne’s Life
There’s a quiet wisdom we can all learn from Joanne Schieble Simpson’s journey. Here are a few reflections I’ve taken away from her story:
1. Love Sometimes Means Letting Go
We tend to think love means holding on, but sometimes it’s the opposite. Joanne’s decision was an act of love—a difficult one, but one rooted in hope for her son’s future.
2. Society Doesn’t Always Understand Women’s Choices
Back in the 1950s, women’s roles were narrowly defined. Joanne’s experience reminds us how important it is to create space for empathy and nonjudgment, especially when it comes to personal choices like adoption or relationships.
3. Legacy Isn’t Always Loud
Joanne didn’t invent a revolutionary product or start a global company. But her influence lived on through her children—the creativity of Steve Jobs and the literary brilliance of Mona Simpson both trace back to her.
Personal Reflection: A Mother’s Influence
Reading about Joanne’s life made me think of my own mother. She’s not famous, but she’s the kind of person whose influence shapes you in invisible ways. I remember once asking her what she thought of Joanne’s story, and she said something that stuck with me:
“Sometimes the world only celebrates the stars, but the stars wouldn’t exist without the sky that holds them.”
That, to me, perfectly describes Joanne Schieble Simpson. She may not have stood in the spotlight, but without her choices, Steve Jobs might not have had the life that led him to transform technology as we know it.
Rediscovering the Woman, Not Just the Mother
One of the reasons I wanted to write this post is because so many articles reduce Joanne to just a footnote in Steve Jobs’s story. But she was more than that—she was a real person with dreams, fears, and a quiet determination to do what she thought was right.
She studied, worked, raised a family, and lived a life that deserves to be remembered on her own terms. Her story reminds me that behind every great figure in history, there’s often someone whose sacrifices and unseen love helped make their success possible.
Related Themes and Broader Impact
The story of Joanne Schieble Simpson ties into larger ideas about:
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Adoption and identity – how people navigate their origins and belonging.
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Women’s rights and societal expectations – especially in the 1950s and 60s.
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Family reconciliation – both Steve and Mona later formed relationships with each other as adults, bridging decades of separation.
As someone who’s always been fascinated by the human side of history, I think these themes make Joanne’s story not just moving—but also deeply relevant today.
Final Thoughts: Remembering Joanne Schieble Simpson
When I finished reading about her life, I couldn’t stop thinking about how history often forgets the quieter heroes. Joanne Schieble Simpson might not be a household name, but her influence shaped two brilliant minds who each changed their worlds in unique ways.
To me, her story is about quiet strength, sacrifice, and the enduring power of love that asks for nothing in return.
