Phoebe Gates, the youngest daughter of billionaire Bill Gates and Melinda Gates, has just completed her undergraduate studies at Stanford University, graduating with a degree in Human Biology in just three years. This accelerated timeline is an impressive achievement, driven by a special reason close to her heart.
Graduating Early for a Special Reason
Phoebe, now 21, was eager to graduate early so she could witness her mother, Melinda Gates, give a speech at her graduation. In an interview with Nylon Magazine, Phoebe explained: “I worked hard to graduate early because I wanted to listen to my mom’s speech as a graduate. She was invited to speak beforehand, so I made every effort to make it happen. Hearing my mom speak at my graduation is a beautiful memory that closes my student chapter.”
Melinda’s speech reflected on how Stanford University holds a special place in her family. Melinda’s father, Phoebe’s grandfather, studied mechanical engineering at Stanford in the 1960s, which significantly influenced his life. Phoebe’s older sister, Jennifer Gates, also attended Stanford, along with her husband. Now, Phoebe has followed in their footsteps, solidifying Stanford as a family tradition.
Romance and Personal Life
Phoebe’s graduation celebration was also a moment to publicly introduce her new romantic relationship. She arrived with Arthur Donald, 25, the grandson of Paul McCartney. Arthur graduated from Yale University in 2021, where he studied history. Their relationship has attracted attention due to Arthur’s prominent family connections, and this marked the first time Phoebe publicly shared her romance on social media.
Before dating Arthur, Phoebe was romantically involved with a fellow Stanford student, Robert Ross, which sparked controversy on social media due to Ross being Black. Phoebe chose not to respond to the racist remarks, although she admitted that such negativity affected her.
Career Aspirations in Fashion
Though Phoebe initially dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer and dedicated many years to dance, she shifted her focus after finishing high school in 2021. She has since developed a deep passion for fashion, a field she is now determined to pursue seriously.
Phoebe’s interest in fashion was solidified during her summer internship at Vogue UK in 2022, where she reported on fashion events. Since then, she has been a fixture at fashion shows, making bold statements with her unique style.
In addition to her work at fashion events, Phoebe is preparing to launch her own fashion brand. She plans to start her entrepreneurial journey on a small scale, primarily selling through social media. “I’m working on the idea and building a detailed plan. I will start small, but I’m excited about growing the business,” Phoebe revealed.
