Gavin Newsom is 58 years old. Born on October 10, 1967, in San Francisco, California, he serves as the 40th governor of California, a position he has held since January 2019. A businessman who built a hospitality group before entering politics, Newsom rose through San Francisco city politics — first on the Board of Supervisors, then as mayor — before serving as California's lieutenant governor and winning the governorship. He is now serving his second and final term, as California's constitution limits governors to two four-year terms, meaning he cannot seek reelection and his tenure is set to end in January 2027. He is married to filmmaker and activist Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and the couple has four children.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gavin Christopher Newsom |
| Born | October 10, 1967 |
| Age | 58 |
| Birthplace | San Francisco, California, USA |
| Occupation | Politician, businessman |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
| Spouse/Partner | Jennifer Siebel Newsom (married 2008) |
| Children | Four — Montana, Hunter, Brooklynn, Dutch |
| Estimated Net Worth | Approximately $20–30 million (media estimate) |
Early Life and Career
Gavin Newsom was born in San Francisco to Tessa Newsom (née Menzies) and William Newsom, an attorney who later served as a judge on California's Court of Appeal. He has spoken publicly about growing up with dyslexia, which he has described as a significant challenge during his school years. He attended Redwood High School in Larkspur, graduating in 1985, and went on to Santa Clara University on a partial baseball scholarship, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science.
Before entering politics, Newsom built a career in business. In the early 1990s he co-founded the Plumpjack Group, a hospitality enterprise that grew from the Plumpjack Wine & Spirits shop in San Francisco and the Balboa Cafe into a portfolio of wineries, restaurants, and boutique hotels. The venture was launched with financial backing connected to the Getty family, and the elder Newsom's close relationship with oil heir Gordon Getty is widely documented. Newsom's stake in the hospitality business made him a wealthy man well before he held public office.
Newsom entered public life in 1997, when San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown appointed him to the city's Board of Supervisors. He was elected mayor of San Francisco in 2003 and took office the following year. Weeks into his mayoral tenure, in February 2004, he directed the city-county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples — a move that made national headlines, was quickly challenged in court, and became a defining moment of his early political career. He was reelected as mayor in 2007.
In 2010, Newsom was elected lieutenant governor of California and took office in January 2011, serving under Governor Jerry Brown. He was reelected to the post in 2014. In 2018 he won the race to succeed Brown as governor, taking office as California's 40th governor in January 2019. He defeated a recall attempt in 2021 and won reelection to a second term in 2022. Over his eight years as governor, his office reports that he signed roughly 8,000 bills; during his final regular legislative session, which closed on September 30, 2026, about 1,160 measures reached his desk and he vetoed 120 of them.
Because California limits governors to two consecutive four-year terms, Newsom cannot seek reelection in 2026, and his governorship is scheduled to conclude in January 2027. As of late 2026, he has not announced a campaign for president, but he is widely reported as a potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, appearing near the top of early primary polling alongside former Vice President Kamala Harris and others such as Pete Buttigieg and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Newsom has said publicly that he would not run against Harris, telling CNN, "I wouldn't run if she ran."
Personal Life
Gavin Newsom married Jennifer Siebel Newsom in 2008. Siebel Newsom is a filmmaker and activist whose documentaries, including "Miss Representation" and "The Mask You Live In," examine gender representation in media. She has been an active public figure in her own right during her husband's time in office.
The couple has four children: Montana Tessa, Hunter, Brooklynn, and Dutch William. The family lives in Fair Oaks, California, a suburb of Sacramento near the state capital.
Before his marriage to Siebel, Newsom was married to Kimberly Guilfoyle, a television personality and former prosecutor, from 2001 until their divorce in 2006. Newsom's family background includes notable California connections: his father, William Newsom, was a well-known attorney and state appeals court judge, and through his aunt, Newsom is distantly related to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Newsom has been a prominent public figure in the long-running political and cultural debate between California and the Trump administration, with President Donald Trump frequently criticizing him while Newsom has positioned himself as one of the administration's most outspoken Democratic critics.
Net Worth
Gavin Newsom's net worth is estimated at approximately $20–30 million, according to recent media estimates. The New York Post reported in June 2026 that the combined fortune of Newsom and his wife was estimated at around $30 million, while CEO Today Magazine placed his net worth in the $20–25 million range in its 2026 ranking of the richest U.S. governors. These figures are estimates, not official disclosures, and should be treated as approximate.
The bulk of his wealth traces back to his hospitality business career. The Plumpjack Group, which he co-founded before entering politics, expanded over the years into wineries, restaurants, and hotels. Reports indicate he was worth roughly $6.9 million by the time he became mayor of San Francisco, largely from his stake in the wine and hospitality business. In addition to his business holdings, Newsom has accumulated real estate and investment assets over his career.
As governor, Newsom earns an annual salary of roughly $243,000, which represents only a small fraction of his estimated overall wealth. His financial disclosure filings as governor have listed a range of business interests, real estate holdings, and investment accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Gavin Newsom?
Gavin Newsom is 58 years old. He was born on October 10, 1967, in San Francisco, California.
Who is Gavin Newsom's wife?
Gavin Newsom's wife is Jennifer Siebel Newsom, a filmmaker and activist known for documentaries such as "Miss Representation." The couple married in 2008 and has four children together.
How many children does Gavin Newsom have?
Gavin Newsom has four children with his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom: Montana Tessa, Hunter, Brooklynn, and Dutch William.
What is Gavin Newsom's net worth?
Gavin Newsom's net worth is estimated at approximately $20–30 million, based on recent media estimates. His wealth comes primarily from the hospitality businesses he co-founded before entering politics, along with real estate and investments. The exact figure is not publicly disclosed, so estimates vary by source.
Is Gavin Newsom running for president?
As of late 2026, Gavin Newsom has not announced a presidential campaign. He is term-limited as California's governor and leaves office in January 2027, and he is widely reported as a potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, appearing near the top of early polls. He has said publicly that he would not run if former Vice President Kamala Harris entered the race.