Early Life and Education of Gavin Newsom: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Gavin Newsom. A timeline of key moments.

Gavin Newsom is an American politician and businessman currently serving as the 40th governor of California since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, his political career includes serving as the 49th lieutenant governor of California from 2011 to 2019 and as the 42nd mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011. He is a prominent figure in California politics.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

October 10, 1967: Gavin Newsom Born

On October 10, 1967, Gavin Christopher Newsom was born in San Francisco, California. He is the son of Tessa Thomas (née Menzies) and William Alfred Newsom III, who was a state appeals court judge and attorney for Getty Oil.

Others born on this day/year

1971: Parents' Divorce

In 1971, Gavin Newsom's parents divorced, leaving his mother to raise him and his sister largely on her own. Gavin was three years old at the time.

1985: Graduated from Redwood High School

In 1985, Gavin Newsom graduated from Redwood High School in Larkspur, California.

1989: Graduated from Santa Clara University

In 1989, Gavin Newsom graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Science in political science.

1999: District System for Board Elections

In 1999, San Francisco voters chose to abandon at-large elections to the Board of Supervisors for the previous district system.

December 2001: Newsom Marries Kimberly Guilfoyle

In December 2001, Gavin Newsom married legal commentator Kimberly Guilfoyle at Saint Ignatius Catholic Church, marking the beginning of their marriage.

October 27, 2004: Support for Hotel Workers' Strike

On October 27, 2004, during a strike by hotel workers against a dozen San Francisco hotels, Newsom joined UNITE HERE union members on a picket line in front of the Westin St. Francis Hotel. He pledged the city would boycott the hotels until they agreed to a contract with workers.

2004: Newsom and Guilfoyle Separate

In 2004, Gavin Newsom and Kimberly Guilfoyle separated, leading to their decision to file for divorce in January 2005.

January 2005: Newsom and Guilfoyle File for Divorce

In January 2005, Gavin Newsom and Kimberly Guilfoyle jointly filed for divorce, citing "difficulties due to their careers on opposite coasts", signaling the end of their marriage.

February 2006: Purchased Residence in Russian Hill

In February 2006, Gavin Newsom paid $2,350,000 for his residence in the Russian Hill neighborhood.

February 28, 2006: Newsom's Divorce from Guilfoyle is Finalized

On February 28, 2006, Gavin Newsom's divorce from Kimberly Guilfoyle was finalized. At the time, Guilfoyle was expecting a child with Eric Villency.

September 2006: Newsom Briefly Dates Brittanie Mountz

In September 2006, Gavin Newsom, then 38, briefly dated 19-year-old Brittanie Mountz, a model and restaurant hostess, marking a short-lived relationship.

October 2006: Newsom Begins Dating Jennifer Siebel

In October 2006, Gavin Newsom began dating film director Jennifer Siebel, marking the start of their relationship.

February 2007: Newsom Seeks Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

In February 2007, Gavin Newsom announced that he would seek treatment for alcohol use disorder, taking a step towards addressing his personal challenges.

December 2007: Newsom and Siebel Announce Engagement

In December 2007, Gavin Newsom and Jennifer Siebel announced their engagement, signifying their commitment to marriage.

July 2008: Newsom Marries Jennifer Siebel

In July 2008, Gavin Newsom and Jennifer Siebel were married in Stevensville, Montana, marking the culmination of their relationship. They have four children together.

2008: Newsom Describes Himself as an Irish Catholic Rebel

In 2008, Gavin Newsom described himself as an "Irish Catholic rebel" while expressing admiration for the Church and his strong faith. He acknowledged the crisis within the Catholic Church but emphasized his connection to a greater purpose and a higher being. He identifies as a practicing Catholic with a strong sense of faith.

April 2009: Put Residence on the Market

In April 2009, Gavin Newsom put his residence in the Russian Hill neighborhood on the market for $3,000,000.

2012: Newsom and Family Move to Kentfield

In 2012, Gavin Newsom and his family moved to a house they bought in Kentfield, Marin County, relocating after his time as mayor of San Francisco.

December 2015: Calling for Reclassification of Computer Science Courses

In December 2015, Newsom called on the University of California to reclassify computer science courses as a core academic class to incentivize more high schools to offer computer science curricula.

May 2019: Newsom Purchases Expensive Home in Fair Oaks

In May 2019, The Sacramento Bee reported that Gavin Newsom's $3.7 million purchase of a 12,000-square-foot home in Fair Oaks was the most expensive private residence sold in the Sacramento region since the beginning of the year.

June 2019: Newsom Apologizes for Genocide of Native Americans

In June 2019, Gavin Newsom apologized on behalf of the California state government for the genocide of Native Americans approved and abetted upon statehood in the 19th century. He acknowledged the killing of at least 4,500 Native Californians between 1849 and 1870, describing it as genocide that needs to be recognized in history books.

2019: Studied Abroad in Rome

During his junior year, Gavin Newsom spent a semester studying abroad in Rome, Italy. In a 2019 speech, he called it "eye-opening", as it exposed him to global perspectives that influenced his political career.

2019: Newsom's political positions

In 2019, a CalMatters analysis found Gavin Newsom's political positions to be more moderate than those of almost every Democratic state legislator in California.

2019: Newsom Lists Marin County Home for Sale

In early 2019, Gavin Newsom originally put his Marin County property up for sale for $5.895 million, but later removed it from the market after a price reduction to $5.695 million, before eventually selling it in August 2021.

August 2021: Newsom Sells Marin County Home

In August 2021, Gavin Newsom sold a Marin County home for $5.9 million in an off-market transaction, completing the sale of a property he had originally listed in 2019.

September 2022: Newsom Makes California a Sanctuary State for Transgender Youth

In September 2022, Gavin Newsom made California the first sanctuary state for transgender youth and issued a fine of $1.5 million to a school district for rejecting a curriculum including a biography of Harvey Milk. He also vetoed bills related to judges considering a parent's affirmation of a child's gender identity in custody battles and mandated insurance coverage for gender-affirming care.

June 2023: Newsom Proclaims LGBTQ+ Pride Month in California

In June 2023, Gavin Newsom proclaimed June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in California, demonstrating his support for the LGBTQ+ community.

October 2023: Newsom Visits China

In October 2023, Gavin Newsom embarked on a week-long visit to China. He began in Hong Kong, attending a discussion about climate change at the University of Hong Kong. He then traveled to Beijing, where he met with Chinese president Xi Jinping to discuss climate change, trade relations, and the response to fentanyl production. The visit also included stops in Guangdong, Jiangsu and Shanghai. He called for better relations between the U.S. and China during the trip.

October 2023: Newsom Vetoes Bill to Ban Caste Discrimination

In October 2023, Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill to ban discrimination based on caste, calling it "unnecessary". Hindu rights organizations supported the veto, while advocates for oppressed castes criticized it.

October 2023: Newsom Vetoes Bill to Provide Unemployment Insurance to Striking Workers

In October 2023, Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill to provide unemployment insurance to striking workers, citing the excess burden on the state's unemployment system. He also vetoed a bill to expand the mandatory warning period for layoffs and prohibit employers from making laid-off employees sign nondisclosure agreements in order to receive severance.

October 20, 2023: Newsom Visits Israel to Express Solidarity

On October 20, 2023, Gavin Newsom visited Israel to express solidarity during the Gaza war. He met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, other top Israeli officials, and survivors of the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.

November 2023: Newsom and DeSantis Debate on Fox News

In November 2023, Gavin Newsom and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis debated on Fox News, with Sean Hannity as moderator. This event marked a significant public confrontation between the two governors with differing political ideologies.

Loading Video...

August 2024: Newsom Warns Counties on Homeless Encampments

In August 2024, Gavin Newsom warned counties that if they did not remove homeless encampments, their state funding would be cut off the next year. This warning followed his personal visit and clearing of a Los Angeles homeless encampment without prior notification to the city.

October 2024: Newsom Signs California Racial Mascots Act

In October 2024, Gavin Newsom signed AB 3074, the "California Racial Mascots Act", which bans derogatory Native American mascots and team names at K-12 schools. Schools run by recognized Native American tribes are exempt.

December 2024: Newsom Criticizes Biden for Pardoning Hunter Biden

In December 2024, Gavin Newsom criticized President Biden for pardoning his son Hunter Biden, stating, "I’m disappointed and can’t support the decision."

2024: Newsom Calls for California Lawmakers to Safeguard Policies After Trump Election

After Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election, Gavin Newsom called for California lawmakers to convene later in 2024 to safeguard California's policies from the incoming Trump administration, indicating a proactive stance to protect state interests.

2024: Newsom Signs Bill Prohibiting Parental Notification of Student Gender Identity

In 2024, Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law prohibiting schools from notifying parents about a minor student's gender identity without the student's consent. This law was criticized by conservative groups and parents who argued it undermined local school authority and parental rights, while proponents argued it protected students' privacy and safety.