In the world of celebrity offspring, few names carry as much weight as Bill Gates and Sir Paul McCartney. Now, their legacies are intertwining in a new and unexpected way. Phoebe Gates, the youngest daughter of tech mogul Bill Gates, is dating Arthur Donald, the eldest grandson of Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney. This budding romance has captured the attention of fans and media alike, blending the worlds of technology and music royalty.
Phoebe Gates, 21, recently graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology, completing her degree in just three years. Her academic achievements are impressive, but it’s her personal life that’s making headlines. Speculation about her relationship with Arthur Donald, 24, had been circulating for months, fueled by social media posts and public appearances. However, it wasn’t until her graduation that Phoebe confirmed the romance.
In a heartfelt Instagram post shared with NYLON, Phoebe included a gallery of photos from her graduation day. Among the images was a sweet snapshot of Arthur carrying her barefoot, accompanied by the caption, “My boyfriend, Arthur, giving me a lift post-ceremony.” Another photo showed the couple embracing, with Phoebe noting, “With Arthur, he cleans up nicely.” These posts put to rest any doubts about their relationship status.
Arthur Donald, born on April 3, 1999, in England, is the son of Mary McCartney and her ex-husband, Alistair Donald. As the eldest grandchild of Paul and Linda McCartney, Arthur has grown up in the shadow of musical greatness. He attended University College School in north London before moving to the United States to study history at Yale University. Despite his famous lineage, Arthur maintains a relatively low profile, with a private Instagram account boasting just 681 followers.
The connection between the Gates and McCartney families isn’t entirely new. Phoebe has long admired Arthur’s aunt, fashion designer Stella McCartney. In a 2022 interview with Women’s Wear Daily, Phoebe expressed her admiration for Stella’s ability to leverage her platform for sustainable fashion. “I feel like because she’s been able to use the platform she had, because of who her dad is, and then she took that and instead of being like, ‘oh, people define me by this,’ she took it and she was like, ‘OK, I have this immense privilege, now I’m going to use it to leverage something,’ and what she chose to leverage is to launch a brand that is completely sustainable,” Phoebe said.
Phoebe’s admiration for Stella McCartney has translated into a professional relationship as well. According to Vogue, Phoebe is partnering with Stella through her soon-to-be-launched fashion platform, Phia, on a bag collection. This collaboration further cements the bond between the two influential families.
The romance between Phoebe and Arthur first sparked public interest in October 2023 when Phoebe shared a photo of them together in Paris, with the Eiffel Tower in the background. The city of love provided the perfect backdrop for their budding relationship. Since then, the couple has been spotted together at various events, including the premiere of “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans.”
Despite the public interest, Phoebe has been cautious about sharing details of her personal life. When asked about her relationship status in a March 2024 interview with Bustle, she declined to comment. However, her recent Instagram posts have made it clear that she and Arthur are indeed a couple.
Phoebe’s previous relationship with fellow Stanford student Robert Ross also garnered attention, particularly due to the interracial nature of their romance. Phoebe faced online trolling and cruel comments, but she responded with resilience. “The misconceptions and conspiracy theories about my family and my relationship with my boyfriend,” she told The Information. “It’s 2023. I’m done being memed for being in an interracial relationship.”
In addition to her academic and personal achievements, Phoebe has made a name for herself in the fashion world. She has a significant presence on social media, with 375,000 followers on Instagram and a growing audience on TikTok. Her content ranges from workout clips and fashion showcases to discussions on political issues with her mother, Melinda Gates. Phoebe has also interned at British Vogue and attended shows at New York and Paris Fashion Week.
Phoebe’s desire to carve out her own identity, separate from her famous parents, is evident. “I want to be my own person,” she has said, emphasizing her ambition to succeed on her own terms. Her relationship with Arthur Donald, while undoubtedly influenced by their high-profile backgrounds, seems to be a genuine connection between two young people navigating their unique worlds.
As Phoebe Gates and Arthur Donald continue their journey together, their relationship serves as a fascinating intersection of technology, music, and fashion legacies. While the public remains intrigued by their romance, it’s clear that both Phoebe and Arthur are determined to forge their own paths, supported by the love and legacy of their remarkable families.
Source: Variety, PEOPLE, Women’s Wear Daily, Vogue, Page Six, The Information, Hindustan Times, Daily Mail
