Melinda French Gates and Phoebe Gates leave the Michael Kors fashion show.Photo:James Devaney/GC Images
James Devaney/GC Images
Phoebe Gatesis celebrating another achievement — turning 21!
The Stanford University student, who is the youngest ofBill GatesandMelinda French Gates' three children, marked the major milestone on Thursday, and her parents were sure to get in on the well-wishes.
Bill, 67, shared a series of sweet throwback photo onInstagramfor her big day, saying in the caption that Phoebe will “always be my little girl.”
“Watching you do big things has never surprised me,” the Microsoft co-founder added. “I’m so proud of you.”
Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates Celebrate Daughter Phoebe’s 21st birthday.Bill Gates/Instagram
Bill Gates/Instagram
Meanwhile, in a FaceTime callshared on Instagram, Melinda gave her daughter advice for her 21st year. She told Phoebe to remember that she knows herself “a lot” and to not “ever forget who you are.”
She went on to encourage Phoebe to “always keep” her trusted group of friends close. “That way you’re never going to go wrong in life,” she added. “Happy 21st birthday. I’m so proud of you and I love you so so much.”
Jennifer, her older sister, also shareda series of candid photosof their close bond on Instagram.
“Love you more than I can express, P, and will forever have your back,” she added. “Now let’s celebrate.”
For Phoebe, the past year has been one full of accomplishments.
Last month, Phoebe and roommate Sophia Kianni—who are teaming up to launch digital fashion platformPhia—debuted a limited-edition capsule bag collectionin collaboration with fashion designerStella McCartney.
At the launch event for the collection, the college student was photographed with her mom and sisterJennifer Gates— both of whom appeared to be rocking handbags from the collection as they posed together.
Jennifer, 27, went on to share a series of smiling photos with Phoebe on social media.
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“Proud big sister moment,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories. “Can’t wait for the world to see what @phoebegates and @sophiakianni have built.”
Jennifer and Phoebe Gates.Jenn Gates Nassa/Instagram
Jenn Gates Nassa/Instagram
In an interview earlier this year withThe Information, Phoebe hinted at Phia’s mission.
“We’re building out an idea to help make fashion more sustainable. We have so much planned for this year,” Phoebe said at the time.
Over the past year, as Phoebe has also taken time to utilize social media for good — and to control her own narrative while in the spotlight as the member of a prominent family.
“People have a lot of preconceptions about me, so TikTok has been a chance for me to tell my own story and also use the attention my family name might bring to spotlight issues that are important to me, like women’s health and sustainable fashion,” she told The Information.
In addition to posting an essay about the fight for reproductive rights, earlier this year she shared a clip of a “contraceptive talk” with her mother.
Phoebe Gates.Michael Loccisano/Getty
In April, when Jennifer turned 27, Phoebeposted a picture of them togetherat a fashion show as well as a childhood throwback photo.
“Thank you for teaching me the lessons I needed to know, speaking the truths I needed to hear, and of course showing me how to grow up.Happy birthday to the best big sistera girl could ask for,” she wrote at the time.
Jennifer commented, “Love you the most P. Thank you😭💜.”
source: people.com
