Latest news with #TheBurnouts
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bill Gates' 22-Year-Old Daughter Says It's 'Terrifying' For The Boys She Brings Home to Meet Her 'Socially Awkward' Dad in His $63 Million Mansion
Most 22-year-olds don't have to worry about their dad being Bill Gates when they bring someone home—but Phoebe Gates does. And according to her, it's a little bit hilarious... unless you're the guy. In an appearance on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast last month, Phoebe sat down with host Alex Cooper—alongside climate activist and business partner Sophia Kianni—to talk about launching their own podcast, "The Burnouts." But the internet had other priorities: her stories about introducing dates to her famously introverted dad at his $63 million lakefront high-tech mansion in Medina, Washington. "Terrifying, for the guy. For me? Hilarious." Don't Miss: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. That's how Phoebe summed it up. "My dad's, like, pretty socially awkward—he's said he has Asperger's," she explained on the podcast. "To me, it's so funny, but for guys, I think they get, like, really wigged out." Phoebe didn't just tell—it was full storytime. One of the standout memories? A high school dance. "My mom had signed my dad up to drive me and the boy to the dance together," she said. "First off, my dad insisted on us listening to NPR the entire 30-minute drive. He stopped for fast food, then he calls the guy—he's like, 'Be responsible tonight, Max Demonhower.' His name was Maxwell Danenhower. Literally wanted to die." For Phoebe, these awkward encounters have turned into a kind of test. "Depending on how he reacts, that's how you know if he's gonna be a good guy or not," she told Cooper. If someone can survive a socially anxious Bill Gates mispronouncing their name inside a high-security estate—maybe they're worth keeping around. Trending: Phoebe also joked that she's the life of the party in a family of self-proclaimed nerds. "It used to be a joke our family would be so boring if I wasn't born," she said. "At the dad-daughter dances my mom would have us go to, I would force my dad to go talk to all the other dads and daughters there. I was like, 'No. If we're here, we're going to socialize. We've got to work this room, Bill.'" And don't even try to challenge them to a game night. "You do not want to play a board game with the two of us," she warned. "That's actually worse than introducing a guy to my dad." Bringing home a date is nerve-wracking enough. Bringing them into a tech billionaire's $63 million mansion where they'll be grilled by a man who co-founded Microsoft and prefers NPR over small talk? Brutal. But Phoebe's take? If they can't handle that, they probably weren't "the guy" anyway. Read Next: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:. Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? . Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Bill Gates' 22-Year-Old Daughter Says It's 'Terrifying' For The Boys She Brings Home to Meet Her 'Socially Awkward' Dad in His $63 Million Mansion originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill Gates' Daughter Says She 'Literally Never' Hears Him Talk About Microsoft — And Finds It 'So Funny' He Wouldn't Let Her Drop Out Like He Did
Bill Gates might be the world's most famous college dropout. But when his youngest daughter, Phoebe Gates, thought about doing the same, her dad refused to let her follow in his footsteps. On her new podcast, "The Burnouts", which launched last month, Phoebe and co-host, Sophia Kianni, opened up about the ups and downs of launching their digital fashion startup, Phia. Eventually, the conversation turned to family—and how her parents reacted when Phoebe floated the idea of starting her own business. Don't Miss: 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Sophia pointed out what everyone's thinking: Phoebe grew up hearing about how her dad followed his dreams, took big risks, and failed more than once before changing the world with Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT). That's when Phoebe laughed and dropped a revelation. "It's funny to hear you say that because I literally never remember my dad talking about the start of Microsoft," she said. "I mostly just remember him talking about the foundation. I remember even when we wanted to start the company, him being like, 'Are you sure you want to do this?'" Phoebe explained that her siblings, Jennifer and Rory, had taken more traditional paths—medicine and academia—with fewer risks involved. But when Phoebe brought up the idea of dropping out of Stanford to focus on her startup, her parents shut it down fast. "They were very much like, you need to finish your degree. You don't just get to, like, drop out and do a company," Phoebe said. "Which is so funny because my dad literally did that." Trending: Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. And unlike her dad, Phoebe listened. She graduated early from Stanford University last June with a degree in human biology—a deadline she pushed for so she could watch her mom, Melinda French Gates, give the commencement speech that year. "I knew I had to make it happen if I could, because I wanted to watch my mother deliver this year's commencement speech as a graduate," Phoebe told Nylon in an interview. Now 22, Phoebe isn't just following the family's philanthropic legacy—she's adding entrepreneurship to the mix. Her startup, Phia, officially launched this month. It's an AI-powered shopping tool designed to help users compare prices across more than 40,000 retail and secondhand fashion sites. "Phia is like Google Flights for fashion," Phoebe and Sophia explained on the conpany's official Instagram. While Phoebe acknowledges the privileges she grew up with, she's determined to carve her own path. "Growing up, I realized that people are always going to have thoughts about me," she told The New York Times. "If the business is successful, people will say, 'It's because of her family.' And a huge portion of that is true... But I also feel a huge amount of internalized pressure." So, no—Bill Gates didn't want another dropout in the family. But Phoebe still found a way to chase big dreams, just with a diploma in hand. Read Next:Donald Trump just announced a $500 billion AI infrastructure deal — . Image: Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? MICROSOFT (MSFT): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Bill Gates' Daughter Says She 'Literally Never' Hears Him Talk About Microsoft — And Finds It 'So Funny' He Wouldn't Let Her Drop Out Like He Did originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill Gates' Daughter Launches Phia, A $850K AI-Powered Fashion App With Backing From Kris Jenner And Desiree Gruber
Phoebe Gates, daughter of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates, has stepped into the startup world with the launch of Phia, a browser extension and mobile app designed to make fashion shopping smarter, more sustainable, and more affordable for Gen Z consumers. Phia, co-founded with Stanford University classmate Sophia Kianni, functions as a digital shopping assistant. The app says it tracks pricing data across more than 40,000 online retailers, surfaces lower-cost alternatives, and according to The Verge, it also highlights secondhand options from platforms like The RealReal (NASDAQ:REAL), Poshmark, and Vestiaire Collective. Phia's goal is to reduce waste while helping users make more financially and environmentally responsible purchases, GeekWire writes. Don't Miss: 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Gates and Kianni, both avid resale shoppers, created the tool after growing frustrated with the lack of reliable pricing and resale discovery options online. According to The Verge, in addition to retail price comparison, Phia's 'Should I Buy This?' feature evaluates whether a shopper is overpaying by using product data, market history, and resale listings. Despite the founder's household name, Phia was not funded by the Gates family. Instead, Phoebe Gates raised capital independently, starting with $100,000 from Soma Capital and a $250,000 Stanford social entrepreneurship grant, GeekWire writes. After multiple rejections, the team secured an additional $500,000 in angel investments, bringing the total raised to $850,000. Among Phia's early supporters are major names from fashion and media. Kris Jenner, entrepreneur and matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner brand empire, publicly confirmed her role as an investor and mentor during an appearance on "The Burnouts," a podcast hosted by the Phia founders. Jenner's involvement adds visibility and strategic guidance as the company targets a younger, trend-driven demographic. Trending: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — . Investor and business strategist Desiree Gruber, known for her work on "Project Runway" and as the CEO of Full Picture, also joined the funding round, she said in a LinkedIn post. Her post praised the Phia founders and celebrated the launch with enthusiasm, showing her strong support for the company's mission and vision. In addition to Jenner and Gruber, Phia's advisory circle includes media executive Joanne Bradford and Spanx founder Sara Blakely, both of whom are serving as company advisors. Bradford shared on LinkedIn that she's been supporting the team behind the scenes over the past year on copy, product, and go-to-market strategy. Phia represents a growing wave of e-commerce tools that emphasize affordability without sacrificing ethics or style. By embedding into users' regular browsing experience, the app acts as a passive advisor, alerting shoppers to resale alternatives, sale opportunities, and pricing insights without disrupting their shopping flow, according to The sustainability is a core component of Phia's identity. In line with Bill Gates' well-known environmental initiatives, the app encourages secondhand shopping to reduce fashion-related carbon emissions and textile waste. While Phoebe Gates has leaned on her father for personnel advice, she did not seek financial involvement. "Luckily, it never happened," Bill Gates told Business Insider, explaining that he preferred not to play an oversight role in the company. Melinda French Gates encouraged her daughter to raise her own capital, describing it as a growth opportunity. Phoebe Gates told The New York Times that the fundraising process was difficult but essential, adding that her mother "saw it as a real opportunity for me to, like, learn and fail." Phia enters a crowded but evolving space alongside established price-comparison tools like Honey, Rakuten, and Capital One Shopping, The Verge writes. What sets Phia apart is its focus on fashion, its AI-driven resale discovery features, and its cultural positioning with Gen Z consumers. The combination of venture capital, mentorship from high-profile investors, and a technology-forward product gives Phia a unique advantage in the e-commerce landscape. While still in its early stages, Phia's launch signals a broader trend toward merging climate-conscious values with consumer tech. Read Next: Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary called Missing Ring his biggest mistake — Don't repeat history— Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? REALREAL (REAL): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Bill Gates' Daughter Launches Phia, A $850K AI-Powered Fashion App With Backing From Kris Jenner And Desiree Gruber originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Phoebe Gates Reveals How She Beat Tom Brady in Blackjack: ‘Well, I'm Kind of a Loser'
Phoebe Gates shared on the April 30 episode of Alex Cooper's podcast that she once ended up at a blackjack table with the seven-time Super Bowl champion during a celebrity fundraiser, where she beat him Sophia Kianni, her close friend, then referenced a simultaneous embarrassing moment when she tumbled down a spiral staircase at the blackjack event, and was subsequently helped up by Jay-Z 'I'm gushing blood, losing this game. I have no idea how to play,' Kianni said. 'I look over and the whole crowd is around Phoebe. The mastermind beating Tom Brady at blackjack. And everyone's like, 'Who is that girl?' ' Add Phoebe Gates to the short list of people who have defeated NFL legend Tom Brady — although her victory wasn't in a game of football. The 22-year-old daughter of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates shared on the April 30 episode of Alex Cooper's Call Her Daddy podcast that she once ended up at a blackjack table with the seven-time Super Bowl champion during a celebrity fundraiser, where she beat him. 'Well, I'm kind of a loser. So before the party, I had memorized the stats of how you can win blackjack … the best statistical plays to win because it's a game of luck. Right?' recalled Phoebe, alongside Sophia Kianni, her close friend who was at the event and the co-host of their podcast, The Burnouts. 'And somehow I ended up at a table with Tom Brady and I ended up beating him in blackjack, which Sophia will not stop talking about.' Kianni, 23, chimed in with, 'I talk about it every day,' to which Cooper replied, 'You shouldn't stop talking about that's actually so cool.' Kianni then referenced an embarrassing, blood-inducing moment when she tumbled down a spiral staircase at the blackjack event, and was subsequently helped up by 25-time Grammy winner Jay-Z. Related: Rob McElhenney's Son Saved Signed Tom Brady Trading Card amid L.A. Wildfires Evacuation: 'Of All the Things' (Exclusive) 'I'm gushing blood, losing this game. I have no idea how to play,' Kianni said. 'I look over, and the whole crowd is around Phoebe. The mastermind beating Tom Brady at blackjack. And everyone's like, 'Who is that girl?' ' Phoebe explained, 'I told everyone I was an influencer. I'm like, 'It's called IMG and I model for them. It was tough DNA and IMG, they had a lot of debate over me, but it's you know, it's been a busy career.' Sometime after besting Brady in blackjack, Phoebe, the co-founder of Phia, a sustainable fashion platform that she and Kianni launched in April, recounted seeing the NFL alum out in public. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Related: Kris Jenner Once Told High School Graduates to Keep Their Cars Clean — Here's Why 'I ran into him once recently and he was like, 'Blackjack.' I'm like, 'Yup,' ' she remembered. 'He doesn't know my name. He just knows I was the girl with like the ink written of the different stats on my hand.' Phoebe, who is dating Paul McCartney's grandson Arthur Donald, then admitted she's 'nerdy' when asked if she's 'a Beatles person.' 'Oh man, it's so bad. I'm so bad at music. I mean, my family, like, we're so nerdy, so I knew nothing about music — like I knew about tech stuff growing up, not music stuff,' Phoebe confessed. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bill Gates' 22-Year-Old Daughter Phoebe Recalled What It Was Like Growing Up With A 'Socially Awkward' Dad — And How It Impacted Her Dating Life
As most people will experience in life, meeting your partner's family for the first time can be pretty daunting. Now, imagine you're dating the child of Bill Gates. As you may know, Bill, the former richest person in the world, and his billionaire ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, share three children — Jennifer, 29, Rory, 25, and Phoebe, 22. The Gates children lead pretty low-key lives; however, the youngest of the bunch is starting to make a name for herself in the podcasting and business world. Last month, Phoebe and her Stanford roommate-turned-business-partner, Sophia Kianni, launched their podcast The Burnouts. The two friends appeared on the latest episode of Call Her Daddy to promote their new venture, and towards the end of the chat, host Alex Cooper asked Phoebe to spill the tea on introducing romantic partners to her dad. Related: These 19 Celebs Started Acting As Kids, But Are Wayyyy More Popular Now — So I'm Positive You Won't Be Able To Identify Them From A Childhood Photo 'I think [it's] terrifying for the guy, but for me? It's hilarious,' she said, giving some insight into what the Microsoft co-founder is like as a parent. 'My dad's pretty socially awkward, like he's said he has Asperger's, but for guys, I think they get really wigged out.' For context, Asperger's Syndrome is a form of Autism Spectrum Disorder. According to the National Autistic Society, Asperger's 'is no longer used as a diagnostic term for autism and is considered controversial due to the history of Hans Asperger,' which you can read more about here. Bill has not talked publicly about having Asperger's, although in his 2025 memoir, he said he 'probably would be diagnosed on the autism spectrum' if he were a child growing up today. Related: People Are Sharing The Celebrities They Genuinely Feel Bad For, And It's Heartbreaking Last year, Phoebe confirmed that she's dating Arthur Alistair Donald, the grandson of Paul McCartney. And while she's in a happy relationship today, Phoebe recalled a specific time she'll 'never forget' when Bill had to drive her and her high school beau to a dance. 'It was one of my dances, my sophomore or junior year,' she began. 'First off, my dad insisted on us listening to NPR the entire 30-minute drive. He stopped for fast food.' If the car journey didn't sound awkward enough, Phoebe said her dad later called the boy to remind him to be 'responsible' — only to call him by the wrong name. 'Literally wanted to die,' she recalled, before highlighting an upside to the whole thing. 'But now, I think it's become easier for me because when you introduce a guy to your dad, depending on how he reacts, that's how you know if he's gonna be a good guy or not.' Phoebe talked more about being an outspoken extrovert with an introverted father — and how she helped bring Bill out of his shell. 'I'm way more of a people person than he is… It used to be a joke [that] our family would be so boring if I wasn't born,' she said. 'At the dad-daughter dances my mom would have us go to, I forced my dad to go talk to all the other dads and daughters there. And he would get nervous and leave. I was like, 'No. If we're here, we're gonna socialize. We've gotta work this room, Bill.'' As the most extroverted person in my family, I totally get it, Phoebe. You can find her and Sophia's full appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast here. More on this Bill Gates Revealed The Exact Percentage Of His $108-Billion Fortune He Plans To Leave To His Kids, And His Explanation Is FascinatingEllen Durney · April 9, 2025 'Oh Boy': Bill Gates Revealed His Reaction To His Daughter Launching Her Online Business, And Why He Felt Relieved That He Wasn't InvolvedZiya Jaffrey · April 28, 2025 Bill Gates Conspiracy Theories Have Circulated For Years. It Took The Coronavirus Pandemic To Turn Him Into A Fake Broderick · May 22, 2020 Also in Celebrity: These 21 Celebrity Ex-Marriages Were So Brief And Bizarre, They Practically Evaporated From Hollywood History Also in Celebrity: 28 Celebs Who Never Seem To Get Canceled Despite Some Pretty Awful Behavior Also in Celebrity: 33 Years After Getting A Breast Reduction As A Teenager, Drew Barrymore Made A Rare Comment About The Plastic Surgery
