Gavin Newsom’s Father Issues
The Atlantic
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Gavin Newsom’s new memoir, *Young Man in a Hurry*, delves into his complex relationship with his father, Bill Newsom, who was emotionally distant and struggled with alcoholism. Unlike many recent U.S. presidents, whose father figures were absent or abusive, Bill Newsom is portrayed as a flawed but ultimately decent man, whose primary focus was on his drinking buddies rather than his family. This emotional distance shaped Gavin’s early life, particularly during his childhood in San Francisco, where Bill moved away and left Tessa Menzies, Gavin’s mother, to raise their children alone. Despite Bill’s failures in politics and his inability to express love directly to Gavin before his death, Newsom recalls feeling certain of his father’s deep affection.
The memoir also explores Newsom’s upbringing alongside privilege, thanks to the family’s close ties with the wealthy Getty family. Bill Newsom acted as a bridge between Gordon Getty and the outside world, while also being beholden
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Originally published on The Atlantic on 2/24/2026