Phoebe Gates, the youngest daughter of Microsoft founder Bill Gates and philanthropist Melinda French Gates, has seemingly announced her romantic reunion with high school sweetheart Chaz Flynn. The 23-year-old made the relationship 'official' by posting a cosy photograph of the pair on her Instagram account, accompanied by a simple heart emoji.
From School Sweethearts to a Rekindled Romance
Phoebe Gates and Chaz Flynn first dated in 2019 after meeting at the elite Lakeside High School in Seattle. Both later attended Stanford University together, though the exact timing of their initial split was never public. The recent loved-up snap, showing the couple dressed up and cuddling, signals they are firmly back on track. A comment on the post from a person believed to be Chaz's relative, Sophie, read: 'Been waiting for this one. Love you guys!!'
Prior to rekindling things with Flynn, Phoebe was in a relationship with Arthur Donald, the 26-year-old grandson of music icon Sir Paul McCartney and a climate investor based in New York. That relationship lasted from October 2023 until September 2025. Before dating Donald, she was linked to fellow Stanford student Robert Ross.
Forging Her Own Path Beyond the Family Name
Despite her high-profile upbringing and access to immense wealth, Phoebe Gates has been determined to carve out her own identity. 'Okay, I'm my parents' daughter, that gives me immense privilege, but it's not what I'm defined by,' she told WWD in a past interview. An aspiring entrepreneur, she launched an e-commerce startup app called Phia earlier this year with her former Stanford roommate, Sophia Kianni.
The platform allows users to compare prices for new and used items across more than 40,000 selling sites. Notably, Phoebe raised the startup capital independently of her father's fortune. She secured an initial $100,000 from Soma Capital, followed by a $250,000 Stanford social entrepreneurship grant, and finally $500,000 in angel investments, bringing the total funding to $850,000.
Family Ties and Public Scrutiny
Chaz Flynn, whose Instagram is private, is already familiar with the Gates family. In May 2021, he, Phoebe, and Bill Gates were photographed together at Nobu in Manhattan after flying into Newark Airport on the same plane. Phoebe is the third child of Bill and Melinda, whose 27-year marriage ended in divorce in 2021.
Growing up in the family's $131 million Medina mansion came with unique challenges. In the Netflix docuseries 'What's Next? The Future With Bill Gates,' Phoebe revealed she frequently encounters conspiracy theories about her father, including false claims about COVID-19 vaccines. 'I've even had friends cut me off because of these vaccine rumors,' she disclosed.
While her Instagram showcases a glamorous lifestyle filled with designer fashion and exclusive events, including a recent appearance at The Albies gala with Arthur Donald, Phoebe's focus remains on her own ventures and relationships, now apparently back with her first love.
