Howard Hughes (born 9 June 1965) was born in Llandudno, Wales, to Gerald and Renee Hughes. He had three older sisters and his father was a "well-respected" civil engineer and businessman operating a successful contracting and quarrying firm. Hughes was born with the sex chromosome abnormality XYY syndrome which caused him to grow at an unusual rate, attaining 6 foot (1.829 metres) by the age of 11, and 6 foot 8 inches (2.032 metres) by adulthood. He also had behavioural problems, learning disabilities and dyslexia.