Who Are Gavin Newsom’s Parents? Governor’s Humble Beginnings Questioned Over Father’s Ties to Billionaire Getty Family

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent remarks about his childhood have reignited debate over the contrast between his claims of modest beginnings and his family’s long-standing ties to San Francisco’s elite circles.

During his appearance on the All The Smoke podcast, Newsom recounted being raised by his mother, Tessa Thomas Menzies, whom he described as a hardworking single parent struggling to provide for him and his sister after his father left.

“My mom was 19, pregnant and divorced a few years later, with two kids. Came from no money and just hustled. You know, worked hard, grinding every single day,” Newsom said.

He recalled living with roommates to afford rent and surviving on inexpensive meals such as macaroni and cheese. Yet, while his story of perseverance resonates with many, critics question whether his depiction of hardship fully reflects the reality of his well-connected background—particularly his family’s close relationship with the Gettys, one of America’s wealthiest dynasties.

Newsom’s father, William Newsom III, was a former California appellate court judge and a lifelong friend of oil heir Gordon Getty, son of the late billionaire J. Paul Getty. The two attended school together, and William later became a key trustee of the Getty family fortune, valued in the billions. He also played a role in delivering the ransom when John Paul Getty III was kidnapped in 1973.

Despite his proximity to great wealth, William Newsom often emphasized that he and his children did not personally benefit from it. In a 2003 interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, he reflected on his financial struggles following an unsuccessful Senate bid in 1968, saying, “I made a foolish mistake of putting my own money in it and losing… I was around wealthy people, but I never had any money, nor did Gavin.”

Tessa Menzies, meanwhile, worked multiple jobs—including as a secretary, waitress, and paralegal—to raise her children. Newsom credits her with instilling in him resilience and a strong work ethic. Still, his youth was not entirely distant from privilege. The Getty family reportedly treated him as one of their own, taking him on family trips, including an African safari, and later assisting him financially with his first business venture, the PlumpJack Group, after he graduated from Santa Clara University.

Beyond the Gettys, several other influential San Francisco families—such as the Pritzkers, Fishers, and Swigs—played a crucial role in advancing Newsom’s early political ambitions. These relationships proved instrumental as he evolved from a local entrepreneur into the mayor of San Francisco, then lieutenant governor, and ultimately governor of California.

William Newsom, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 84, is remembered as a respected jurist and environmental advocate whose ideals influenced his son’s political outlook. Tessa Menzies, who died in 2002, remains a central figure in Newsom’s narrative of perseverance and discipline—a testament to the dual legacy of struggle and privilege that continues to define his public story.

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