Tim Walz often speaks about being the father of two children.
The governor of Minnesota, who was selected as Kamala Harris’ vice presidential candidate, is married to Gwen Walz, with whom he shares a daughter named Hope and a son named Gus.
The couple first met while they were both teaching in western Nebraska, not far from Walz’s hometown. Shortly after they met, they started a summer trip to China for their students and traveled there nearly every summer through 2003, per Gwen’s official bio.
They eventually tied the knot in 1994 before welcoming their children in 2001 and 2006. Walz occasionally shares photos and tributes to his kids on his social media and has appeared in multiple videos with Hope that went viral.
He also speaks about his family in interviews, in particular, recounting his and Gwen’s seven-year IVF journey before they were able to have children, which has further influenced his policies as a governor.
Since he accepted the vice presidential nomination, Walz’s children have joined him on the campaign trail, with Hope sharing a photo and video diary with PEOPLE of the journey, which spanned from Ann Arbor, Mich., to Window Rock, Ariz.
Here’s everything to know about Tim Walz’s two kids: Hope and Gus.
Tim and Gwen raised their kids in southern Minnesota
After tying the knot in 1994, the couple moved to Mankato, Minn., in 1996, where they worked at Mankato West High School, per Walz’s official bio. It was there that Walz and Gwen started and eventually raised their family.
Following major flooding in Minnesota in June, Walz reflected on his roots in the area.
“We raised our kids in Mankato – southern Minnesota is my home,” he wrote on Instagram. “My heart goes out to all those who’ve lost their homes and businesses.”
Gwen went through IVF to welcome their children
Through the years, Walz has spoken out about the obstacles he and Gwen faced to becoming parents. During an interview with the Star Tribune, he revealed that Gwen underwent fertility treatments at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., for seven years in hopes of getting pregnant.
In January 2001, the couple became first-time parents, welcoming their daughter Hope. A few years later, they welcomed their son, Gus, in October 2006.
Their daughter’s name has a special meaning
Speaking with the Star Tribune, Walz noted that he and Gwen named their first child Hope to reflect their IVF journey together. After seven years of trying, Walz recalled the happy moment Gwen revealed she was pregnant.
“I said, ‘Not again,’ ” Walz recalled. “She said, ‘No, I’m pregnant.’ It’s not by chance that we named our daughter Hope.”
Tim’s children have influenced his policies
Walz’s experience with IVF has greatly impacted the policies he’s passionate about as governor.
“Gwen and I have two beautiful children because of reproductive health care like IVF. This issue is deeply personal to our family and so many others,” he wrote in February in reaction to the Alabama ruling which declared that frozen embryos are children, jeopardizing the future of IVF in the state.
On World IVF Day in June 2024, he notably reacted to J.D. Vance voting against the Right to IVF Act. After Kamala Harris’ campaign wished “a happy IVF Day to everyone except for” Vance on X, Walz responded with a lengthy note defending IVF.
“Even if you’ve never gone through the hell of infertility, someone you know has. When Gwen and I were having trouble getting pregnant, the anxiety and frustration blotted out the sun,” he wrote. “JD Vance opposing the miracle of IVF is a direct attack on my family and so many others.”
After Gus witnessed a shooting in St. Paul, Minn., in January 2023, Waltz doubled down on his beliefs about stricter gun laws. He briefly shared Gus’ story during the vice presidential debate in October 2024, recalling that his son was playing volleyball when a 16-year-old was shot outside of the Jimmy Lee Recreation Center.
Tim is super ‘proud’ of his kids
On social media, Walz can be seen applauding his children’s achivements. On Father’s Day in 2021, he shared a selfie with his kids, writing, “I am so lucky to be a dad to these two amazing kids! Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and father figures out there.”
In October 2023, he marked his “proud dad moment” with a photo of his son passing his driver’s license exam. In April 2019, he posted a snapshot of him and his daughter before her senior prom in Mankato, noting he was “so proud to be her dad.”
Gus and Hope were by Tim’s side during his campaign for governor
Walz had his kids by his side for a rare public appearance when he campaigned for governor in August 2018. He was pictured with his wife and children as he attended his election night party in St Paul, Minn., where he won the night’s primary before going into the general election.
Tim and Gwen candidly opened up to PEOPLE about their son’s non-verbal learning disorder
In a statement shared exclusively with PEOPLE in August 2024, Walz and his wife opened up about their “brilliant” son, Gus, who has a non-verbal learning disorder, ADHD and an anxiety disorder, and how they set him up for success at a young age.
“When our youngest Gus was growing up, it became increasingly clear that he was different from his classmates,” the couple told PEOPLE. “Gus preferred video games and spending more time by himself. When he was becoming a teenager, we learned that Gus has a non-verbal learning disorder in addition to an anxiety disorder and ADHD, conditions that millions of Americans also have.”
“Like so many American families, it took us time to figure out how to make sure we did everything we could to make sure Gus would be set up for success as he was growing up,” the couple continued. “It took time, but what became so immediately clear to us was that Gus’ condition is not a setback — it’s his secret power.”
Hope and Gus supported Tim at the Democratic National Convention in August 2024
Tim accepted his party’s nomination to serve as Kamala Harris’ 2024 running mate at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago — and it was an emotional moment for the entire Walz family.
“That’s my dad,” Gus could be seen saying from the audience as tears streamed down his face. Meanwhile, Hope sent her dad love by making a heart with her hands.
From the podium, Tim said: “Hope, Gus and Gwen you are my entire world, and I love you.” His kids and wife eventually joined him on stage.
Source: People
Eternal Pen online magazine publishes interesting content every day in the celebrity section of the entertainment category. Follow us to read the latest news.
