Judith Butler to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Butler fans. Speculation had been rife that the author of Gender Trouble is about to announce her retirement from all public activities, at age 70, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 10/04/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a philosopher isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a philosopher-activist just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouJudith

For a little while on Thursday evening, #ThankYouJudith was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“Judith Butler was unlike any other philosopher we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouJudith”
— @universalObserver, 9 Apr 2026

“I thought Judith Butler retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 9 Apr 2026

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