Inside the love story between Bill Gates’ daughter Phoebe and Paul McCartney’s grandson Arthur – thanks to families’ long friendship
Phoebe is dating Arthur – the grandson of British music legend Paul McCartney
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By Elmira Tanatarova
Published: 13:15 BST, 27 June 2024 | Updated: 13:15 BST, 27 June 2024
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Bill Gates’ daughter and Paul McCartney’s grandson announcing that they’re in a relationship may have surprised many fans – with The Cut’s blogger Emily Leibert admitting that ‘this is not a nepo-baby couple she saw coming’.
However, the romance between Phoebe Gates and Arthur Alistair Donald seems to have been written in the stars – as the families’ relationship goes back decades, with the ex-Beatles daughter Stella serving as a fashion mentor for her nephew’s girlfriend.
Phoebe, 21, and Arthur, 25, first made headlines back in October 2023 when she took to Instagram with a snapshot of the pair in Paris. The duo also attended the premiere of Feud: Capote vs Swans a short time later – but Phoebe then declined to comment on her relationship status when interviewed by Bustle.
But she has now officially confirmed the romance – openly referring to Arthur as her ‘boyfriend’ while documenting her Stanford graduation in an online blog for Nylon.
Bill Gates’ daughter Phoebe has officially confirmed that she is dating Paul McCartney’s grandson Arthur Donald
Arthur, who graduated from Yale University in 2021 with a major in history, is the elder son of photographer Mary McCartney and her first husband, TV producer Alistair Donald. And it appears that the couple’s lives have been intertwined since they were young children.
Arthur’s grandfather, Sir Paul, is thought to have struck up a friendship with Phoebe’s father as far back as at least the early 2000s. The duo are pictured chatting to one another at a 2005 book launch, and that same year Bill was reportedly part of Paul’s ‘entourage’ amid his messy divorce from Heather Mills.
As reported by the Guardian, the musician released a selection of quotes from a world tour DVD which saw Bill compare his friend to Bach as he sings his praises. Bill also appears to be a fan and supporter of Paul’s music.
When asked about what song he would use to describe his relationship with the late Steve Jobs – the founder of Apple, Microsoft’s main competitor – on the BBC’s Desert Island Discs show, Bill used a Beatles track titled Two Of Us, from their Let It Be album. His blog – GatesNotes – last year also featured the Beatles’ track Hey Jude in its summer playlist.
And it seems the connection travelled down generationally, as Paul’s daughter Stella, 52, became close to Bill’s ex-wife Melinda.
Arthur, who graduated from Yale University in 2021 with a major in history, is the elder son of photographer Mary McCartney.
Pictured in May last year with his aunt Stella, left, and his now girlfriend Phoebe, right
The romance between Phoebe Gates and Arthur Alistair Donald seems to have been written in the stars – as the families’ relationship goes back decades.
Arthur left, in 2018 with his mother and grandfather, and Phoebe, right, with her father Bill in 2022
Stella and Phoebe, have since become close, bonding over their very famous fathers, and wanting to be in the same industry.
Both pictured in February last year
Designer Stella has acted as a mentor to Phoebe, and even invited her to her first Paris Fashion Week trip.
Both pictured in May
Phoebe and Arthur have very famous mothers.
Arthur pictured left, with Mary McCartney in 2022, and Phoebe pictured right, with Melinda Gates last year
‘Her and my mom are actually good friends,’ Phoebe – who has co-founded upcoming digital fashion firm, Phia – told a WWD interview in 2022. ‘Even when I was little she would send me stuff and little notes and I’d be so excited. I’ve been asking my mom forever and ever if I could meet with her.’
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