Bill Gates Says He Texts Daughter Phoebe to 'Say That I’m Sending Her an Email': 'Meeting Her Halfway'

Mar. 15, 2025

Bill Gatesrecently learned some important generational lessons from his 22-year-olddaughter Phoebe.On Wednesday, Sept. 18, the billionaire Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist published a specialblog postcelebrating the release of hisnew Netflix docuseries,What’s Next? The Future with Bill Gates.“I’ve always thought of myself as a student trying to get to the bottom of things. A good day for me is one where I go to sleep with just a little bit more knowledge than I had when I woke up in the morning,” he wrote. “So, when I am deciding how to spend my time these days, I usually ask myself three questions: Will I have fun? Will I make a difference? And will I learn something?“Well, one recent lesson he learned? Kids just aren’t into Facebook these days. Or email.One very memorable conversation featured in the new show is between Gates, 68, and Phoebe, the youngest of thethree childrenhe shares with ex-wifeMelinda French Gates.In fact, Bill wrote that out of all the conversations he had, talking with Phoebe was his “favorite.““Few people in your life can be as direct with you as your own children,” wrote the self-proclaimed “proud papa.“Phoebe Gates and Bill Gates.Paula Lobo/GettyHe added, “Phoebe and I talked about growing up with social media, how to become sophisticated about its use, how not to feed the trolls, how to seek out different viewpoints, and the important lesson (for me, at least) that no one uses Facebook or email anymore.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Bill Gates and Phoebe Gates.Courtesy of NetflixCalling out a specific moment from the show — which is available to stream on Netflix now — Bill said that he actually enjoyed it “when she told me never to email her.““When I asked her why not, she said, ‘No one uses e-mail for personal communications anymore. Just text me,’ " he added.However, Bill said that while he definitely heard his youngest daughter — a recent Stanford graduate who is also a co-founder ofPhia, a forthcoming digital fashion platform, as well as an “incredible advocate for women’s rights and women’s health” — he’s figured out a solution of his own.“I ended up meeting her halfway. These days, I text her to say that I’m sending her an email,” he wrote. “And we’ve actually ended up talking more on the phone. I can’t wait to see how her advocacy work will make a difference in the world—and hear what she thinks ofWhat’s Next?now that it’s out.“The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!Bill Gates.Courtesy of NetflixBill previously told PEOPLE that working on his Netflix docuseries almost didn’t feel like work because “it wasn’t hard in any way."“It was a real chance to talk about topics that I care about and I have views on,” he said, adding, “and I learned a lot.“All episodes ofWhat’s Next? The Future with Bill Gatesare currently streaming on Netflix.

Bill Gatesrecently learned some important generational lessons from his 22-year-olddaughter Phoebe.

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, the billionaire Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist published a specialblog postcelebrating the release of hisnew Netflix docuseries,What’s Next? The Future with Bill Gates.

“I’ve always thought of myself as a student trying to get to the bottom of things. A good day for me is one where I go to sleep with just a little bit more knowledge than I had when I woke up in the morning,” he wrote. “So, when I am deciding how to spend my time these days, I usually ask myself three questions: Will I have fun? Will I make a difference? And will I learn something?”

Well, one recent lesson he learned? Kids just aren’t into Facebook these days. Or email.

One very memorable conversation featured in the new show is between Gates, 68, and Phoebe, the youngest of thethree childrenhe shares with ex-wifeMelinda French Gates.

In fact, Bill wrote that out of all the conversations he had, talking with Phoebe was his “favorite.”

“Few people in your life can be as direct with you as your own children,” wrote the self-proclaimed “proud papa.”

Phoebe Gates and Bill Gates.Paula Lobo/Getty

Paula Lobo/Getty

He added, “Phoebe and I talked about growing up with social media, how to become sophisticated about its use, how not to feed the trolls, how to seek out different viewpoints, and the important lesson (for me, at least) that no one uses Facebook or email anymore.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Bill Gates and Phoebe Gates.Courtesy of Netflix

Courtesy of Netflix

Calling out a specific moment from the show — which is available to stream on Netflix now — Bill said that he actually enjoyed it “when she told me never to email her.”

“When I asked her why not, she said, ‘No one uses e-mail for personal communications anymore. Just text me,’ " he added.

However, Bill said that while he definitely heard his youngest daughter — a recent Stanford graduate who is also a co-founder ofPhia, a forthcoming digital fashion platform, as well as an “incredible advocate for women’s rights and women’s health” — he’s figured out a solution of his own.

“I ended up meeting her halfway. These days, I text her to say that I’m sending her an email,” he wrote. “And we’ve actually ended up talking more on the phone. I can’t wait to see how her advocacy work will make a difference in the world—and hear what she thinks ofWhat’s Next?now that it’s out.”

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Bill Gates.Courtesy of Netflix

Bill previously told PEOPLE that working on his Netflix docuseries almost didn’t feel like work because “it wasn’t hard in any way.”

“It was a real chance to talk about topics that I care about and I have views on,” he said, adding, “and I learned a lot.”

All episodes ofWhat’s Next? The Future with Bill Gatesare currently streaming on Netflix.

source: people.com