What’s it like to grow up with a last name everyone knows? Why does Phoebe Gates, a nepo baby, feel the need to prove herself?
For some, it might sound like a dream—money, connections, and opportunities handed to you.
But for Phoebe Gates, the youngest daughter of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, it’s not all as simple as it seems.
At just 22 years old, she’s starting to share her story, and it’s one that might surprise you.
Being tied to a billionaire family comes with its own set of challenges, and Phoebe is opening up about what that really means for her.
The Weight of Privilege: Phoebe Gates on Being a Nepo Baby
Phoebe recently launched a podcast called The Burnouts with her friend Sophia Kianni. In the first episode, aired on April 1, 2025, she talked about her time at Stanford University, where she studied Human Biology and graduated in 2024.
Starting college, she felt a mix of excitement and worry. She wanted to prove she could succeed on her own, but her famous family name made her question herself.
“I had so much insecurity and such a desire to prove myself,” she said.
The label “nepo baby”—a term for kids who benefit from their parents’ success—stuck with her, and it wasn’t easy to shake off.
She explained that being a freshman with no experience is tough for anyone, but for her, it felt even harder. People knew her as Bill Gates’ daughter before they knew her as Phoebe.
That made her feel like she had to work twice as hard to show she wasn’t just riding her dad’s coattails.
Even with all the advantages she had, like access to a top school, the pressure to stand out on her own was real.
Even Nepo Babies Face Rejection
Phoebe didn’t stop at just talking about her feelings—she shared a story that shows how she’s trying to build her own path.
While at Stanford, she came up with a business idea: Bluetooth tampons that could track women’s health during their periods.
It was creative and bold, but when she pitched it in a business class, she got a flat “no.” That rejection stung, especially since her dad is one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs.
It was a reminder that privilege doesn’t guarantee success—you still have to face setbacks like everyone else.
Now, she’s working on a fashion-tech startup called Phia with Sophia Kianni. It’s all about making online shopping more sustainable and affordable.
Her parents, Bill and Melinda Gates, were cautious about her jumping into this venture. They wanted her to finish her degree first, which she did.
Phoebe finds it funny that her dad, who famously dropped out of Harvard to start Microsoft, insisted she stay in school.
But she’s grateful for their advice—it’s helping her build something real, step by step.
Turning Privilege Into Purpose
Phoebe knows her last name gets attention. On TikTok, where she has thousands of followers, she admits people might follow her at first because of her dad.
But she’s using that spotlight to talk about things she cares about, like women’s health. She’s inspired by people like Stella McCartney, a fashion designer and daughter of Beatles legend Paul McCartney, who turned her own famous name into a force for good.
Phoebe wants to do the same—take what she’s been given and make a difference.
Being a “nepo baby” isn’t just about easy wins. For Phoebe Gates, it’s about wrestling with self-doubt, pushing past rejection, and finding a way to matter on her own terms.
