Stephen Hawking was 21 years old when he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — a progressive neurodegenerative disease — in 1963. His doctors gave him approximately two years to live.
He lived for 55 more years, dying in March 2018 at age 76.
Hawking's survival far beyond typical ALS prognosis was medically unusual, likely aided by a slower-progressing form of the disease. For much of his life, he was almost completely paralyzed and communicated through a speech-generating device he controlled with a cheek muscle. Despite this, he produced groundbreaking work in theoretical physics and cosmology, wrote bestselling books, raised three children, and became one of the most recognized scientists in history.
Hawking's life is a testament both to extraordinary individual resilience and to the power of adaptive technology and support systems. He used cutting-edge assistive communication technology — developed in collaboration with Intel engineers — to write, give lectures, and engage with the world. His case helped transform public understanding of what is possible for people with severe physical disabilities.
ALS typically progresses faster than Hawking's case, with most patients living 2–5 years after diagnosis. But advances in treatment — including the drug riluzole and newer approvals like edaravone — are extending survival and improving quality of life.