Tim Walz's 2 Kids: All About His Daughter Hope and Son Gus

Mar. 15, 2025

Tim Walzoften speaks about being the father of two children.

The governor of Minnesota, who was selected asKamala Harris’vice presidential candidate, ismarried 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 inmultiple 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 aphoto and video diarywith 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

Tim Walz with his wife and kids.Stephen Maturen/Getty

Stephen Maturen/Getty

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.

“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 theStar Tribune, he revealed that Gwen underwentfertility treatmentsat 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

Tim Walz and his daughter Hope.Tim Walz/Facebook

Tim Walz/Facebook

Speaking with theStar 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.

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 tothe Alabama rulingwhich declared that frozen embryos are children, jeopardizing the future of IVF in the state.

Tim Walz with his son Gus and daughter Hope.Tim Walz/Facebook

On World IVF Day in June 2024, he notably reacted toJ.D. Vancevoting against the Right to IVF Act. AfterKamala Harris’ campaignwished “a happy IVF Day to everyone except for” Vance on X, Walz responded with a lengthy notedefending 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 thevice presidential debatein October 2024, recalling that his son was playing volleyball when a 16-year-old wasshot outside of the Jimmy Lee Recreation Center.

Tim is super ‘proud’ of his kids

Tim Walz and his son Gus.Tim Walz/Instagram

Tim Walz/Instagram

On social media, Walz can be seen applauding his children’s achivements. On Father’s Day in 2021,he shared a selfiewith 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” witha photoof his son passing his driver’s license exam. In April 2019,he posted a snapshotof him and his daughter before her senior prom in Mankato, noting he was “so proud to be her dad.‬”

Tim Walz and his son Gus Walz at his election night party in 2018.Stephen Maturen/Getty

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.

“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

MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty

Tim accepted his party’s nomination to serve as Kamala Harris’ 2024 running mate at theDemocratic National Conventionin Chicago — and it was an emotional moment for the entire Walz family.

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.com