Gábor Maté
Born 1944 · Age 81
Hungarian-born Canadian physician, author and speaker specializing in childhood development, trauma, addiction, ADHD and mind-body health. Developer of Compassionate Inquiry and author of multiple best-selling books.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Budapest, Hungary
Gabor Maté was born to a Jewish family in Budapest during Nazi-occupied Hungary.
Maternal grandparents deported and killed in Auschwitz
Maté's maternal grandparents, Josef and Hannah Lövi (from Košice), were killed in Auschwitz when he was about five months old.
Placed in care to save his life as an infant
At about one year old Maté's mother put him in the care of a stranger for over five weeks to save his life; he later described this separation as formative trauma.
Immigrated to Canada with family
Maté and his family emigrated from Hungary to Canada.
Adolescence in Canada during post-war era
Grew up and was educated in Canada following immigration (background context for later activism and studies).
Secondary schooling (approx.)
Attended school in Canada prior to university (exact schools/dates not specified in sources).
Became a university student during Vietnam-era unrest
Described as a student during the Vietnam War era (late 1960s); attended University of British Columbia.
Graduated B.A., University of British Columbia (approx.)
Maté earned a B.A. from UBC (exact graduation year not specified; sources indicate he was a student in the late 1960s).
Married Rae Maté
Married fellow UBC graduate Rae Maté (born 1948). The couple would have four children, including journalist Aaron Maté.
Worked as high-school English and literature teacher
After his B.A., Maté taught high-school English and literature for several years before returning to medicine.
Received M.D. in general family practice, UBC
Maté returned to UBC and obtained his M.D. in general family practice in 1977.
Started private family practice in East Vancouver
Opened and ran a private family practice in East Vancouver; practice continued for more than 20 years.
Worked in obstetrics and palliative care during medical career
Maté worked across the spectrum from obstetrics to palliative care (exact dates not specified).
Medical coordinator, Palliative Care Unit (seven-year tenure)
Served as medical coordinator of the Palliative Care Unit at Vancouver Hospital for seven years (exact span not specified).
Staff physician at Portland Hotel residence (12-year tenure)
Served as staff physician at the Portland Hotel, providing care to residents with co-occurring mental health and substance use issues for 12 years (exact years not given).
Published first major book: Scattered Minds
Scattered Minds: the origins and healing of attention deficit disorder was published (A.A. Knopf).
Published When the Body Says No
When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress was published, arguing for the role of stress in physical illness.
Co-authored Hold On to Your Kids
Co-authored Hold on to Your Kids (with Gordon Neufeld), a book on parenting and attachment.
Published In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts
In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction, Maté's most widely known book on addiction and trauma, was published.
Defended Insite physicians publicly
Made national headlines defending physicians working at Insite (legally supervised safe-injection site) after federal criticism from Health Minister Tony Clement.
Awarded Hubert Evans Prize for Literary Non-Fiction
Received the Hubert Evans Prize for Literary Non-Fiction for In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts.
Began ayahuasca-assisted work for addiction treatment
Became interested in ayahuasca and partnered with a Peruvian Shipibo ayahuasquero to lead multi-day retreats aimed at addiction treatment.
Received Civic Merit Award, City of Vancouver
Awarded the City of Vancouver Civic Merit Award for work on addiction treatment and contributions to understanding mental health and youth.
Health Canada threatened to refer ayahuasca activities to RCMP
After Maté led ayahuasca retreats, Health Canada threatened to refer the matter to the RCMP unless he stopped activities involving the illegal drug.
Published journal article: Addiction and childhood trauma
Published 'Addiction: Childhood Trauma, Stress and the Biology of Addiction' in the Journal of Restorative Medicine (2012).
Observational study published on ayahuasca-assisted therapy
Thomas et al. published preliminary observational research in Current Drug Abuse Reviews showing improvements among participants of ayahuasca-assisted therapy.
Named Member of the Order of Canada (awarded)
Gabor Maté was awarded membership in the Order of Canada in recognition of his work with addictions and trauma.
Released video series and masterclasses (Wholehearted)
Appeared in multiple video specials and masterclasses including 'The Power of Connection', 'A Masterclass for Healers', and 'Healing Trauma & Addiction' (Wholehearted).
Featured in Wisdom of Trauma documentary
Appeared in the documentary 'Wisdom of Trauma' (Benazzo & Benazzo), increasing his public profile among trauma and recovery communities.
Published The Myth of Normal (with Daniel Maté)
Co-authored The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture with his son Daniel Maté (North Atlantic Books); publication date Sept 13, 2022 (Richmont reference).
Guest on The Joe Rogan Experience (podcast)
Appeared on Joe Rogan's podcast (episode #1869) — a widely viewed long-form interview (Richmont lists June 27, 2024 for a repost/entry; source dates vary).
Developed and promoted 'Compassionate Inquiry' psychotherapy method
Maté is credited as the developer of Compassionate Inquiry, a psychotherapeutic approach he teaches internationally (website and course material).
Live-streamed interview with Prince Harry
In a March 2023 live-streamed conversation Maté publicly stated diagnoses (PTSD, ADHD, anxiety, depression) about Prince Harry after discussing his autobiography 'Spare'; the move drew criticism.
Received Vine Award for Canadian Jewish Literature (co-authored book)
The Myth of Normal (co-authored with Daniel Maté) won a Vine Award; the Vine Awards are presented with a $10,000 prize (as reported in media).
Interviewed by Piers Morgan after visiting Gaza
In November 2023 Maté told Piers Morgan he cried daily for two weeks after visiting Gaza and called for an end to occupation and for land return since 1967.
High public reach milestone claimed (books and media views)
Profiles and guides (Richmont) claim 'tens of millions' of books sold and 'hundreds of millions' of podcast/interview/video views — a broad statement of public reach (claim; confidence low).
Continued public teaching and scheduled events
Website lists scheduled workshops and events (e.g., Trauma, Illness & Healing in a Toxic Culture) for 2025 and beyond; Maté remains an active speaker and teacher.
Key Achievement Ages
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