Meet Rory Gates, who was just invited to the White House with mum Melinda French Gates: Bill Gates’ 25-year-old son grew up in a US$150 million mansion – but won’t inherit much

May 28 , 2024

Philantropist Melinda French Gates and Rory Gates arrive at the Booksellers Room for the state dinner with the Kenyan president at the White House in Washington DC, on May 23. Photo: AFP

Rory Gates is the only son of Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates and his ex-wife Melinda French Gates, alongside his sisters Jennifer Nassar Gates and Phoebe Gates

He graduated from the University of Chicago in 2022 and keeps a low profile – but he did recently give funds to former US presidential hopeful, Nikki Haley

Rory John Gates, the only son of Bill Gates and his ex-wife Melinda French Gates, made a rare public appearance when he arrived arm-in-arm with his mother to the White House state dinner on Thursday. The event also coincidently marked his 25th birthday.

Bill and Melinda Gates and their children back in the day. Photo: Melinda French Gates/Facebook

Born on May 23, 1999, Rory grew up in a massive mansion dubbed Xanadu 2.0 with his two sisters: Jennifer, 28, and Phoebe, 21.

In a 2017 essay that Melinda wrote for Time, she described her son as “compassionate and curious”.

Rory appears to lead a low-key life with private social media accounts, an obsession with puzzles – and a close relationship with his mum.

Here’s what you need to know about the man who might one day lead Microsoft.

How did Rory Gates and his sisters grow up?

Melinda French Gates with baby Rory back in the day. Photo: Melinda French Gates/Facebook

Growing up, Bill and Melinda Gates gave their kids a 66,000-sq-ft dream house. Nicknamed Xanadu 2.0, the ultra-luxurious US$150 million lakefront mansion in Medina, Washington had just about every amenity you could imagine, including a trampoline room, a pool and its own artificial beach with sand flown in from the Caribbean islands.

Despite the luxurious lifestyle, Bill and Melinda made sure their three kids observed their set of rules: they didn’t get mobile phones until the age of 14 and had to wash the dishes every night. Even when they finally got their own mobile phones, they came with strict limitations – phones were forbidden at the dinner table and screen time was limited.

“We often set a time after which there is no screen time, and in their case, that helps them get to sleep at a reasonable hour,” Bill told The Mirror in 2017. “You’re always looking at how it can be used in a great way – homework and staying in touch with friends – and also where it has gotten to excess.”

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Bill revealed that his family regularly attends church. “We’ve raised our kids in a religious way. They’ve gone to the Catholic Church that Melinda goes to and I participate in,” he said.

The billionaire also noted that his philanthropy centres on reducing global inequality – a cause Rory has reportedly picked up from his parents.