Tedros was born in Asmara, at that time part of the Ethiopian Empire as the Eritrea Province, but now the capital of Eritrea following its secession in the 1990s, to Adhanom Gebreyesus and Melashu Weldegabir. His family originated from the Enderta awrajja of Tigray Province, Ethiopian Empire. Tedros recalled that as a child he was very aware of the suffering and death caused by malaria. His younger brother died at the age of 3 or 4 years, possibly of a preventable disease like measles, which Tedros often discusses as a defining personal experience in regards to the need for global healthcare.