Who is Robert Mueller? Ex-FBI boss diagnosed with Parkinson's disease; led Russia investigation into Trump's 2016 campaign

Former FBI director Robert Mueller, best known for leading the Russia investigation into Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, his family confirmed to The New York Times.

Mueller, 81, received the diagnosis in 2021 and formally retired from public life the following year after a brief stint teaching at his law school alma mater.


"Bob was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in the summer of 2021. He retired from the practice of law at the end of that year. He taught at his law school alma mater during the fall of both 2021 and 2022, and he retired at the end of 2022," the family said in a statement, requesting privacy.

The revelation comes after the House oversight committee withdrew a subpoena for Mueller as part of its probe into Jeffrey Epstein. Lawmakers were told the former FBI director was grappling with health issues that left him unable to testify.

Mueller, who served as FBI director from 2001 to 2013, oversaw the bureau's work during its 2007 investigation of Epstein. His name was among several high-profile figures—including former President Bill Clinton—whom committee chair James Comer, R-Ky, had sought to question about the controversial non-prosecution agreement that shielded Epstein from more serious federal charges.

Sources told Fox News Digital that Mueller's condition has increasingly affected his speech and mobility, making public testimony impossible.

Mueller's decades-long career earned him bipartisan respect as a steady hand at the helm of the FBI during the post-9/11 years and later as special counsel investigating Russian interference in US elections.

His family emphasised that his focus now is on his health and that they hope the public will respect his wishes for privacy.