The Billion-Dollar Heirs: 5 Surprising Facts About Bill Gates' Children In 2025

The children of one of the world's most influential and wealthiest figures, Bill Gates, have always been under an intense spotlight, but their paths in late 2025 are more distinct and surprising than ever before. While the world knows them as the heirs of the Microsoft co-founder and Melinda French Gates, Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe are actively forging their own identities in medicine, creative arts, and tech entrepreneurship, far removed from the shadow of their parents' colossal fortune. Their stories are a fascinating study in how the next generation of ultra-wealthy individuals navigates independence, career, and a commitment to philanthropy.

As of December 2025, the Gates children are making headlines not for their inheritance, but for their professional milestones, new family ventures, and innovative startups. From a pediatric residency to a cutting-edge A.I. fashion app, their current pursuits reflect a dedication to impactful work, a value instilled by their parents and the mission of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This deep dive explores the latest updates on the three Gates heirs, revealing how they are spending their time and preparing for a future with a unique financial landscape.

The Gates Children: Complete Biographical Profiles

Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates share three children. Here is a brief, up-to-date look at the life and focus of each child:

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• Jennifer Katharine Gates
  • Born: April 26, 1996 (Age 29)
  • Education: Stanford University (Human Biology), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (M.D.)
  • Current Focus: Pediatric Medicine. As of 2025, she is completing her residency, focusing on a career in healthcare.
  • Personal Life: Married to professional equestrian Nayel Nassar. They welcomed their first child, a daughter, in 2023, and their second daughter in 2025.
• Rory John Gates
  • Born: May 23, 1999 (Age 26)
  • Education: University of Chicago (Double Major in Computer Software Engineering and Economics, Master's Degree in Creative Writing)
  • Current Focus: Creative Arts and Privacy. Rory is known for his highly private life, focusing on his intellectual and creative pursuits, including poetry and writing.
  • Known For: Being the only son and the most private of the three siblings.
• Phoebe Adele Gates
  • Born: September 14, 2002 (Age 23)
  • Education: Stanford University (currently attending, with a focus on technology and design).
  • Current Focus: Entrepreneurship, Fashion-Tech, and Women's Health Advocacy.
  • Venture: Co-founder of Phia, a sustainable A.I. shopping app launched in April 2025.

The $1 Billion Inheritance: Less Than 1%, But Still a Fortune

One of the most widely discussed aspects of the Gates family is the inheritance plan. Bill Gates has been transparent that his children will inherit a "minuscule" portion of his vast net worth, a philosophy designed to promote their independence and drive. This decision, while seemingly harsh to some, is a cornerstone of the Gates family's financial planning.

The Stated Plan: Less Than 1% of the Fortune

Bill Gates has repeatedly stated that he plans to leave his three children less than 1% of his total fortune, with the vast majority—over 99%—being directed towards philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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However, the sheer scale of the Gates family wealth means that "less than 1%" is still a life-changing sum. With Bill Gates' net worth currently hovering around $130 billion, that less than 1% translates to an estimated inheritance of over $1 billion for each child. This places them firmly in the billionaire bracket, despite their father’s commitment to "giving away" his wealth.

The philosophy behind this limited inheritance is rooted in the belief that such extreme wealth can be a burden, stifling ambition and the desire to contribute to society. By providing a substantial but not overwhelming financial foundation, Gates aims to ensure his children have the freedom to pursue their passions without the pressure of managing an unfathomable amount of capital.

Jennifer Gates: Balancing Medicine, Motherhood, and Equestrianism

The eldest Gates daughter, Jennifer Katharine Gates, has become a prominent figure in her own right, successfully juggling a demanding medical career with her personal life. Her focus in 2025 remains firmly on medicine.

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The Pediatric Resident

After graduating from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Jennifer began her pediatric residency, which she has continued to navigate successfully. Her commitment to healthcare reflects a deep-seated desire to make a tangible difference, aligning with the global health goals of the Gates Foundation, but through a personal, hands-on clinical path.

Equestrian Career and Family Life

Beyond the hospital, Jennifer is an accomplished show jumper, a passion she shares with her husband, Egyptian Olympic equestrian Nayel Nassar. The couple owns Evergate Stables, a successful venture in the competitive world of horse riding. The year 2025 has been particularly significant for her personal life, as the young family expanded, welcoming their second daughter. This balance of high-stakes career, elite sport, and motherhood demonstrates a remarkable level of dedication and time management.

Phoebe Gates: The Gen Z Fashion-Tech Founder

Phoebe Adele Gates, the youngest of the siblings, has emerged as a powerful voice for Gen Z, particularly in the intersection of technology, fashion, and social advocacy. Her latest move confirms her status as a budding entrepreneur.

Launching Phia: The A.I. Shopping App

In a major development in April 2025, Phoebe co-founded and launched her fashion-tech startup, Phia. The app is described as an A.I.-powered shopping platform focused on sustainability and ethical consumption. This venture is a direct reflection of Phoebe's dual interests: leveraging technology, much like her father's legacy at Microsoft, but applying it to the modern, socially conscious world of fashion.

Phoebe is also a vocal advocate for women's health and reproductive rights, using her growing platform as a social media influencer to address critical social issues. She is actively building a personal brand that champions progressive causes, proving that the Gates children are leveraging their visibility for social good, not just personal gain.

Rory Gates: The Quiet Intellectual and Creative Writer

Rory John Gates, the only son, has chosen a path of profound privacy and intellectual pursuit, a stark contrast to the public-facing roles of his sisters and parents. His focus is on the academic and creative world.

A Master's in Creative Writing

Rory’s academic background is impressive, culminating in a Master's degree in Creative Writing from the University of Chicago. His interests reportedly lie in poetry and the intellectual arts, suggesting a desire to contribute through thought and literature rather than technology or public business. This deliberate choice to avoid the public sphere is a powerful statement about defining success on one's own terms.

While his sisters have embraced social media to varying degrees, Rory remains largely absent, embodying the family's desire for a degree of normalcy away from the intense media scrutiny that comes with the Gates name. His path highlights a different kind of ambition: one focused on deep learning and personal fulfillment.