The Buttigieg Twins: 5 Surprising Facts About Pete And Chasten's Children, Gus And Penelope

The family life of former US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and his husband, Chasten Buttigieg, has captivated the public since they announced the arrival of their twins. As of December 2025, Joseph August "Gus" and Penelope Rose are four years old, a milestone that marks a significant chapter in the Buttigieg family's journey. This article provides the most current details on the twins, their unique adoption story, and how fatherhood has profoundly impacted one of America's most prominent political figures.

The decision to become parents through adoption was a deeply personal and often challenging one for the couple, a journey they have shared candidly to shed light on the realities of queer parenthood and the adoption process. Their story is a powerful testament to building a family outside of traditional norms, emphasizing love, commitment, and the complex path to becoming a parent. The twins have become a quiet, yet powerful, symbol of modern American family life.

Complete Biography Profile: Pete Buttigieg and Chasten Buttigieg

To fully appreciate the narrative of the Buttigieg family, it is essential to understand the background of the two fathers who lead it.

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Peter Paul Montgomery "Pete" Buttigieg

• Full Name: Peter Paul Montgomery Buttigieg
• Date of Birth: January 19, 1982
• Place of Birth: South Bend, Indiana
• Parents: Joseph Buttigieg (Father) and Jennifer Anne Buttigieg (Mother)
• Education: Harvard University (B.A.), Pembroke College, Oxford (M.A. as a Rhodes Scholar)
• Military Service: U.S. Naval Reserve (2009–2017), deployed to Afghanistan in 2014.
• Key Career Highlights: Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012–2020); Candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States (2020); 19th United States Secretary of Transportation (2021–2025).

Chasten Glezman Buttigieg

• Full Name: Chasten Glezman Buttigieg
• Place of Birth: Traverse City, Michigan
• Career: Educator, Author, and LGBTQ+ Advocate. He has worked as a middle school and high school teacher.
• Literary Work: Author of the memoir, I Have Something to Tell You, and the children's book, I Sailed Alone: A Story About Adoption.
• Advocacy: Focuses on LGBTQ+ rights, mental health, and the importance of arts education.

The Unexpected Arrival: Unpacking the Buttigieg Twins' Adoption Story

The Buttigiegs announced in August 2021 that they had become parents to twins, Joseph August "Gus" and Penelope Rose. This news followed a long and emotionally draining adoption process that the couple has openly discussed, highlighting the fragility and uncertainty inherent in the journey for many prospective parents. They have spoken about receiving calls that fell through, including an instance where they were at the hospital only to have the adoption plan canceled. This emotional rollercoaster is a reality for countless families pursuing adoption.

The twins, who are mixed-race, were adopted shortly after their birth in August 2021. The name 'Gus' is a nod to Chasten's grandfather, while 'Penelope' was chosen as a name that simply resonated with the couple. Their arrival instantly transformed the lives of the former Mayor of South Bend and his husband, introducing them to the world of sleepless nights, double feedings, and the profound joy of fatherhood. The couple’s transparency about their struggles to adopt has been widely praised for normalizing the often-difficult path to parenthood in the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.

Health Challenges and the Impact of Parental Leave

The first few weeks of parenthood were unexpectedly challenging. Shortly after their birth, one of the twins, Gus, faced a significant health scare. Pete Buttigieg revealed that Gus had spent time on a ventilator in the hospital due to an illness. This period was understandably stressful for the new parents, forcing them to navigate the complexities of their son's health while adjusting to life with newborn twins.

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This personal crisis underscored the importance of the family's well-being and led to a high-profile decision: Pete Buttigieg took parental leave from his duties as the Secretary of Transportation. This move sparked a national conversation about the necessity of paid family leave for all American workers, regardless of their position. Critics questioned the timing of his leave, but Buttigieg and his supporters staunchly defended the right of every parent, including high-ranking government officials, to take time to care for a new child and family. His decision brought a crucial, human element to the policy debate, arguing that no parent should have to choose between their job and their family's health.

Life in Traverse City: A Shift in Family Focus

In a move that surprised many, the Buttigieg family recently relocated full-time to Traverse City, Michigan, Chasten's hometown. While Pete Buttigieg was serving as Transportation Secretary, the family maintained a residence in Washington D.C., but the decision to establish their permanent family base in Michigan was driven by a desire to be closer to Chasten's extended family and to raise their children in a community they cherished.

This geographical shift highlights a common theme in the Buttigiegs' public life: the prioritization of their family unit. Pete Buttigieg has often spoken about how fatherhood has changed his perspective on his work and his life, noting that the political "nonsense" fades away when he is home with his children. This new chapter in Traverse City allows the twins to grow up surrounded by a strong support system of relatives, providing a sense of normalcy and grounding away from the intense media spotlight of the nation's capital. The move signifies a deeper commitment to their personal lives as the twins enter their preschool years.

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Fatherhood and Public Service: The New Perspective

The experience of raising Gus and Penelope has been a recurring and heartfelt topic in Pete Buttigieg's recent public appearances and interviews. He has frequently discussed how fatherhood provides a new, deeper lens through which he views his work on infrastructure, climate change, and the future of the country. His policy decisions, he has suggested, are now intrinsically linked to the kind of world he wants his children to inherit.

The Buttigiegs' visibility as a gay couple raising mixed-race twins through adoption also serves a vital role in representation. Their family portrait challenges traditional stereotypes and provides a powerful example of diverse family structures in American leadership. Chasten, in particular, has leveraged his platform to write children's books that address the theme of adoption, further normalizing and celebrating their family's origin story for a younger audience. The twins, now four years old, are growing up in a unique environment, but their parents' focus remains on providing them with a loving, stable, and private life, despite their father's prominent political career.