Getty In this screengrab, Melinda Gates and Bill Gates speak during "One World: Together At Home" presented by Global Citizen on April, 18, 2020.
Bill and Melinda Gates have three children together, two daughters and a son. Their oldest child, Jennifer, is an accomplished equestrian. Their middle child is Rory, a son, and their youngest is a daughter, Phoebe.
Their oldest child, Jennifer Katharine Gates, is 25, and graduated from Stanford University. She is engaged, a medical student and an accomplished equestrian. She calls herself “a lifetime learner,” according to Mercury News. Their son, Rory Gates, is 21, and their youngest daughter, Phoebe Gates, is 18. The Gates’ two younger children stay out of the media spotlight.
Bill and Melinda Gates announced the end of their marriage in a tweet Monday, May 3, 2021, saying their children were now grown and they no longer believe they can grow together.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Bill & Melinda Gates’ 3 Children Are Now Adults
Bill Gates and Melinda Gates have three children. The oldest, Jennifer Katharine Gates, is 25 years old and graduated from Stanford University. Rory John Gates is 21 and and Phoebe Adele Gates is 18.
Melinda Gates often shares photos of her children on Instagram. She shared a photo on Instagram for Thanksgiving of her three children when they were young, clustered around a pumpkin and smiling.
“I’m feeling thankful for these three and the silver lining of extra time with them this year. Wishing you and yours a hopeful and healthy holiday,” she wrote.
She also shared a family photo in 2019 on Thanksgiving.
“There’s so much to be grateful for this year, but these four will always be at the very top of my list,” she wrote. “From our family to yours—Happy Thanksgiving.”
She also shared a photo of the family of five in their younger years on Christmas 2019.
She wrote:
Christmas. It’s my absolute favorite time of year—it always has been. Over the years, Bill and I have tried to keep the traditions we grew up with alive for our own family, while starting a few of our own. One of them is something we call “closing the doors for Christmas.” As soon as the kids are all out of school for break, we pull back from our usual routines and spend that time with family instead. The older and busier our kids get, the more special that time becomes. I’m grateful that we can still allow ourselves to be present for the moments that matter—and give this time of year the space in our hearts that it deserves.
May your holidays be full of warmth, wonder, and time with those you love.
In February 2020, she shared a photo of three generations of women in her family in a post about equality.
“I love this photo of three generations of women in my family. It makes me think about how much the world has opened up for women just across my mother’s and my lifetimes, and why continuing to work toward a more equal future is so important to me,” she wrote.
2. Their Oldest Child, Jennifer, Is an Accomplished Equestrian & a Medical Student
Jennifer Gates often shares photos of her time competing in equestrian sports with her horse, Alex. She was featured on the cover of Equestrian Living in May, 2019. The magazine visited Evergate Stables, her farm in Wellington, Florida. She is engaged to Nayel Nassar, a showjumper.
She continued riding throughout the coronavirus pandemic, and wrote about her experiences on Instagram April 7, 2021.
“Alex,” she wrote. “Massive gratitude & thanks to the team of amazing humans at @evergatestables who made this winter possible, safe, and fun for us. excited to cheer on the team this year.”
She is in her second year of medical school, she wrote on Instagram last year.
“First year of medical school,” she wrote in April 2020. “While the last couple months were a bit different than expected, I’m so grateful to have met such an amazing group of colleagues, and to have learned from incredible physicians and professors this academic year. Already looking forward to year 2!”
Jennifer Gates posted on Instagram September 18, 2019 to say that she received her white coat as a medical student, and only had to pass a block exam.
“So incredibly honored to receive my white coat today surrounded by those who have encouraged and inspired me to pursue this education and career. Grateful is an understatement,” she wrote.
She announced her engagement to Nassar on January 29, 2020. Business Insider reported he popped the question during a ski getaway, and that Bill Gates was “completely thrilled” by the news.
“Nayel Nassar, you are one of a kind,” she wrote on Instagram. “Absolutely swept me off my feet this past weekend, surprising me in the most meaningful location over one of our many shared passions. I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives learning, growing, laughing and loving together. Yes a million times over. AHHH!!!”
3. Bill & Melinda Gates’ 2 Daughters Are Close & Share Their Relationship on Social Media
Jennifer and Phoebe Gates appear to have a close relationship. Jennifer Gates often shares photos on social media which depict a close relationship with her younger sister, who turned 18 September 14, 2020.
“Happy birthday to you @moonstarsandshine! How lucky am I to have the most intelligent, charming, radiant, charismatic sister! Wishing you the best day from across the world!” Jennifer wrote to Phoebe on her 17th birthday.
Pheobe Adele Gates stays out of the spotlight. Her Instagram page is still private even after her 18th birthday, and she has not yet conducted many interviews with news outlets.
Jennifer Gates also wrote on Instagram about her mother for her birthday, calling her “the most bad***, intelligent, compassionate, thoughtful, supportive, hilarious and wise human.”
4. Melinda Gates Described Her Middle Child, Rory, As a ‘Feminist’
Melinda Gates posted on Instagram for her son’s 18th birthday in May 2017, describing Rory as “a feminist.”
“When my son Rory was born, I spent a lot of time imagining what this little person would be like and who he would be as he grew up. Now, as we near his 18th birthday, I have my answer. Rory is compassionate and curious. He’s a great son and a caring brother. He’s inherited his parents’ obsessive love of puzzles. And one of the things that makes me proudest: Rory is a feminist. As he goes out into the world, I feel more optimistic than ever about the future his generation will build,” she wrote.
Rory Gates, like his younger sister, stays out of the spotlight. He has kept his Instagram page private, and he does not talk to media outlets about his personal life.
5. Bill & Melinda Gates Both Signed a Tweet Announcing the End of Their Marriage After 27 Years
A tweet signed by both Bill and Melinda Gates announced they decided to end their marriage after attempts to save their relationship.
The tweet said:
After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage. Over the last 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all over the world to enable all people to lead healthy, productive lives. We continue to share a belief in that mission and will continue our work together at the foundation, but we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives. We ask for space and privacy for our family as we begin to navigate this new life.
On New Years Day 2020, they celebrated 26 years of marriage. To mark the occasion, Melinda Gates shared a photo of herself with her husband, dancing and laughing together.
“New Year’s Day will always be extra special to me—marking both a fresh year and an opportunity to celebrate being married to @thisisbillgates,” she wrote. “Today makes 26, and I’m still marveling at just how full a heart can get. Happy anniversary to the man who keeps me dancing through life.”
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