The 22-year-old daughter of Bill and Melinda Gates is dating Paul McCartney’s eldest grandchild
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(776x176:778x178):format(webp)/Melinda-Gates-Phoebe-Gates-092624-2-a933f2ed3a334d4e9b2bb7cbc58eab09.jpg)
Melinda French Gates, her daughter Phoebe Gates and Phoebe’s boyfriend Arthur Donald joined George and Amal Clooney at The Albies!
French Gates, Phoebe and Donald made a glam entrance at the Sept. 26 event, which George, 63, and Amal, 46, have hosted in New York City since September 2022. French Gates and Phoebe’s appearance follows their 2023 attendance, too. (French Gates shares Phoebe and Jennifer Gates with ex-husband Bill Gates.)
The event shines “a protective spotlight on courageous justice defenders who are at risk—sending a message to those who abuse human rights that the world is watching,” according to the Clooney Foundation for Justice website. This year’s Albies, which are named after Justice Albie Sachs for his role in ending apartheid in South Africa, welcomed a host of celebrity advocates.
The philanthropist, 60, wore a sleeveless magenta, pink and black floral gown with layered ruffles on the skirt. The gown had a V-neckline that showed off her diamond T-shaped necklace. French Gates and Phoebe, 22, wore their hair in loose blowouts and topped off their looks with subtle soft-glam makeup.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(665x0:667x2):format(webp)/Melinda-Gates-Phoebe-Gates-092624-9f02279d233441abb125e1f5288356f3.jpg)
The Stanford University graduate wore a camel brown gown with a mock cowl neckline that created a ruching effect on her bodice. Her shimmery dress was sheath style, covering her bronze pointed-toe pumps.
Phoebe also posed with her boyfriend, 25, one of Paul McCartney‘s grandchildren. Donald arrived at the event in a sleek black tuxedo and black bowtie. He is the eldest son of Mary McCartney and her ex-husband, TV producer Alistair Donald.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(665x0:667x2):format(webp)/Phoebe-Gates-Arthur-Donald-092624-092624-e2ef12ae971b49e0b3d1309bf8c3cc54.jpg)
The pair initially sparked dating rumors in October 2023 after Phoebe shared a photograph of them smiling together on her Instagram account.
“Paris on film,” she captioned the snap. In January 2024, they were also photographed together for the premiere of Feud: Capote vs. The Swans at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
Months later, Phoebe slyly made a nod to their relationship in a June graduation photo diary for Nylon. She shared candid snaps from her big day, which included smiling shots with Donald and her parents. She also posted the images on her Instagram account, simply captioning them, “Graduated.”
Since her graduation, Phoebe, who uses her platform to advocate for women’s rights, has been preparing for the launch of a new tech company and fashion startup, Phia.
On Sept. 18, she was honored with the “Rising Reproductive Freedom Champion” award at the Reproductive Freedom for All’s 55th anniversary celebration in Washington, D.C.
Phoebe called the award an “incredible honor that I accepted as an acknowledgment of a responsibility to keep going and a rallying charge to do more.”