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Bill Gates' daughter Phoebe opens up about the challenges of 'nepo baby' label© Penske Media via Getty Images

Celebrity kids

Bill Gates' daughter Phoebe opens up about the challenges of 'nepo baby' label

Phoebe is speaking openly about the experience of growing up as the daughter of Bill Gates


Maria Loreto
Senior Writer
APRIL 7, 2025 11:28 AM EDT

Phoebe Gates, the youngest daughter of Bill and Melinda Gates, is opening up about her experience as the daughter of one of the world's wealthiest and most accomplished men. In an appearance on her podcast, the 22-year-old opened up about her college experience and the insecurity she's dealt with throughout her life. 

Phoebe Gates has discussed her experience on her podcast 'The Burnouts'© GC Images
Phoebe Gates has discussed her experience on her podcast 'The Burnouts'

Phoebe discussed her experience in her podcast "The Burnouts," which she hosts alongside her friend and business partner Sophia Kianni. "I had so much insecurity and such a desire to prove myself at Stanford," she said. 

"I came in, I was like, ''I'm so privileged, I'm a nepo baby,' like I had so much insecurity around that. I feel it's so hard when you're a freshman in college because you have no experience. You have nothing."

Bill Gates' daughter Phoebe opens up about the challenges of 'nepo baby' label© Penske Media via Getty Images
Gates is the father of three kids: Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe

Phoebe discussed her failures in school, revealing that she experienced plenty of them, and that she was rejected from a business class after sharing a pitch for a product. "This was our first big failure of many, many, many," she said. "I don't think it's really a shocker that we got flat-out rejected from this class - they asked us, ''What problem does this solve? How would it make money?'' We couldn't answer those questions."

She also shared some of the challenges of being the sibling who didn't conform to a traditional career or path in her life. "Both of my siblings were incredibly intelligent and took very typical career paths - my brother's a genius, my sister has two kids and a horseback riding career and is in residency," she said. 

Phoebe is currently dating Arthur Alistair, the grandson of Paul McCartney© FilmMagic
Phoebe is currently dating Arthur Alistair, the grandson of Paul McCartney

What is Phoebe Gates doing now? 

Nowadays, Phoebe has found her path, being involved in various exciting endeavors. She's about to launch a fashion-tech startup called Phia, which helps users find quality second-hand clothing. 

She's also hosting her podcast, where she discusses the challenges faced by young professionals and sheds light on her experience as the founder of a startup. 

Phoebe is currently dating Arthur Alistair, the grandson of Paul McCartney.

Phoebe Gates and Karlie Kloss at a screening of "Everybody's Fight: An In Bloom Series on Reproductive Freedom'© Getty Images for MTV Staying Ali
Phoebe has been crafting her own path, blending her interests in fashion, feminism, and entrepreneurship

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