When your father is Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and one of the richest men in the world, you might think life is one endless red carpet of opportunities, luxury, and no rules. But 22-year-old Phoebe Gates, the youngest of Gates' three children, is here to set the record straight: being a billionaire's kid doesn't exempt you from family rules—especially if your dad built an empire by breaking them himself.
Inheritance? Not Quite What You’d Think
Bill Gates, who boasts a staggering net worth of $147 billion, has long made it clear that his children—Phoebe, Rory (25), and Jennifer (28)—will inherit only a small fraction of his fortune. Despite what most imagine for the offspring of tech royalty, Gates' kids are expected to forge their own paths. Less than one percent of his wealth will be passed on to them, a conscious decision aimed at encouraging independence and purpose.
Stanford Yes, Harvard Dropout No
In a candid conversation on her new podcast The Burnouts, Phoebe opened up about the pressures of being a “nepo baby.” Despite her privilege, she confessed to battling insecurities and a constant urge to prove herself. That insecurity, she admitted, was especially strong during her time at Stanford University, where she pursued a degree in Human Biology.
Ironically, her father—who famously dropped out of Harvard to start Microsoft—made one thing very clear: dropping out was not an option for her.
“[My parents] were very much like, ‘You need to finish your degree; you don’t just get to like drop out and do a company,’” Phoebe revealed. “Which is so funny because my dad literally did that, and that's, like, the reason I'm able to go to Stanford or have my tuition paid.”
Growing Up Gates: Not Your Typical Childhood
Even as Gates' billions loom large in the background, Phoebe insists that her upbringing was structured, disciplined, and very aware of the privilege she held. Now a graduate and podcast host, she’s working to create a space where young people, regardless of their backgrounds, can openly talk about burnout, ambition, and identity in today’s high-pressure world.
While the Gates children might not be inheriting private islands or sprawling empires, they’ve been handed something arguably more valuable: a chance to define success on their own terms. And in Phoebe’s case, she’s doing it one podcast episode at a time—degree in hand, and lessons from home close to heart.
Inheritance? Not Quite What You’d Think
Bill Gates, who boasts a staggering net worth of $147 billion, has long made it clear that his children—Phoebe, Rory (25), and Jennifer (28)—will inherit only a small fraction of his fortune. Despite what most imagine for the offspring of tech royalty, Gates' kids are expected to forge their own paths. Less than one percent of his wealth will be passed on to them, a conscious decision aimed at encouraging independence and purpose.
Stanford Yes, Harvard Dropout No
In a candid conversation on her new podcast The Burnouts, Phoebe opened up about the pressures of being a “nepo baby.” Despite her privilege, she confessed to battling insecurities and a constant urge to prove herself. That insecurity, she admitted, was especially strong during her time at Stanford University, where she pursued a degree in Human Biology.
Ironically, her father—who famously dropped out of Harvard to start Microsoft—made one thing very clear: dropping out was not an option for her.
“[My parents] were very much like, ‘You need to finish your degree; you don’t just get to like drop out and do a company,’” Phoebe revealed. “Which is so funny because my dad literally did that, and that's, like, the reason I'm able to go to Stanford or have my tuition paid.”
Growing Up Gates: Not Your Typical Childhood
Even as Gates' billions loom large in the background, Phoebe insists that her upbringing was structured, disciplined, and very aware of the privilege she held. Now a graduate and podcast host, she’s working to create a space where young people, regardless of their backgrounds, can openly talk about burnout, ambition, and identity in today’s high-pressure world.
While the Gates children might not be inheriting private islands or sprawling empires, they’ve been handed something arguably more valuable: a chance to define success on their own terms. And in Phoebe’s case, she’s doing it one podcast episode at a time—degree in hand, and lessons from home close to heart.
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