Who are Bill Gates and Melinda Gates’ children? Philanthropist and ex-wife reveals why kids changed their last names

Bill Gates, 69, and Melinda Gates, 60, are parents to three wonderful kids, Phoebe Gates, Rory Gates, and Jennifer Gates. Despite hailing from such an affluent and eminent family, this generation of the Gates family chose to change their last names.

In a conversation with Elle for the 2025 Women of Impact feature, the mother of three children disclosed why she and her ex-husband allowed their children to select their last names while growing up.

"I wanted the kids to be seen for who they were."

One of Melinda Gates's most significant and biggest priorities was to maintain her family's privacy, especially when Phoebe, Rory, and Jennifer were younger.

Though the kids used their mom's maiden name in elementary school, as per a People Magazine report, they chose their preferred last names in their middle school.

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Melinda Gates explained her and Bill Gates' children's decision to use different last names

While talking with Elle exclusively for the annual issue, the philanthropist revealed,

"My oldest daughter went in with Gates; she felt like she was ready to take that name on. My son chose not to. He used French all the way through high school."

Melinda Gates further added:

"I just tried to keep them in the real world and point things out to them as much as possible. We had real discussions about how our family was different, but you shouldn’t think any more of yourself because of that."

Bill and Melinda's eldest daughter Jennifer, 28, completed her master's in public health from Columbia University, studied human biology at Stanford University, and completed her graduation from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, per a People Magazine report.

In 2021, she married Nayel Nassar and welcomed their firstborn Leila in 2023. In October 2024, Jennifer and Nayel became parents to their second daughter Mia.

In 2022, Rory Gates, 25, completed his graduation from the University of Chicago. He took only four years for his double major and a master's degree. In 2017, Melinda Gates wrote for TIME and expressed her love for her son on his 18th birthday. Appreciating him for the wonderful person he has become, she wrote,

"Across 18 years of conversations, sharp observations and everyday actions, he's demonstrated his belief that gender equality is something worth standing up for. When we talk about these issues at the dinner table, he (and his friends) have a lot to say."

Phoebe, the youngest Gates kid, completed her high school in 2021. From receiving recognition to dropping sneak peeks of her life, she often shares her opinions, perspectives, and life diaries on social media.

In addition to being vocal about social aspects, she shares a keen interest in the fashion segment as well. She interned at British Vogue in September 2022.

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Here's what we know about Bill Gates and Melinda Gates's past relationship timeline

Bill Gates met his former wife Melinda Gates in 1987 when she joined Microsoft as a product manager. Years later in 1994, they got married. According to Wikipedia, the former Gates couple welcomed their eldest daughter Jennifer Gates Nassar in 1996. With her ex-husband, Melinda gave birth to her son Rory Gates in 1999 and her youngest daughter Phoebe Gates in 2002.

After 27 years of marriage, Bill and Melinda announced their divorce in May 2021 by releasing a joint statement about going their separate ways.

In a January interview with The Times of London, the Microsoft co-founder expressed disappointment over his divorce from Melinda and referred to it as a "mistake" he regrets the most.

During her conversation with Elle, Melinda described divorces as "painful." She continued, "It’s not something I would wish on any family."