Heidi Klum describes how the condition drives her ability to manage multiple projects and thrive creatively.
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Supermodel, TV host, businesswoman, Halloween queen and mother of four, Heidi Klum clearly has a lot on her plate. But according to the 52-year-old star, the thing that helps her juggle it all might surprise some people.
In a recent interview with "Glamour Germany", Klum revealed that she believes she has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and she sees it as one of her biggest strengths.
“That I have a form of ADHD,” she said when asked what many people might not know about her.
Instead of viewing it as a limitation, Klum says the condition actually fuels her energy and productivity. “I see ADHD as something positive because it allows me to do more things at once. It’s my superpower,” she explained.
She also opened up about how her constant drive and busy mind shape the way she works.
“Maybe it’s instinct or just my own idea. I’m very hyperactive because of my ADHD. I can do a thousand different things at once. I work on many projects simultaneously and keep taking on more,” she said.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, impulse control and activity levels. While it’s often associated with children, many adults also live with it sometimes without even realising it.
In South Africa, studies estimate that between 5% and 10% of children may have ADHD, and many continue to experience symptoms into adulthood. Yet diagnosis and treatment can still be limited due to a lack of awareness and access to mental health services.
But researchers are increasingly highlighting the positive traits linked to ADHD, too. Studies suggest people with ADHD often show high levels of creativity, problem-solving ability, quick thinking and strong entrepreneurial drive, especially when they learn how to manage their focus and energy.
Klum isn’t the only celebrity who has spoken openly about the condition.
Actors like Ryan Gosling and Emma Watson have previously shared that they were diagnosed with ADHD as children. Business leaders like Richard Branson have also credited neurodiversity for their unconventional thinking and success.
For Klum, sometimes the things that make you different can also be the things that push you forward.
Many creatives have spoken about how mental health traits became strengths. Actress Jennifer Lewis, who has been candid about her bipolar diagnosis, has said that her emotional intensity and sensitivity fuel her creativity and resilience.
She describes her neurodivergence not as a flaw but as part of what drives her passion and depth, reminding us that differences in how our brains work can be powerful.