Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz celebrates with his daughter Hope Walz (L), son Gus Walz (2nd-L) and wife Gwen Walz (R) © Chip Somodevilla

Meet Tim Walz's 2 kids Hope and Gus — all about their special relationship

The Democratic vice presidential candidate is a loving father of two

US Writer
Updated: October 31, 2024

As well as being a former teacher and football coach, the present Governor of Minnesota and the potential future Vice President of the United States, Tim Walz is a devoted dad to his son Gus and daughter Hope. 

Tim's family took the stage© Justin Sullivan
Tim's family have supported him throughout the campaign

Tim's family life has received widespread attention, from his wife's story of them using fertility treatments to have children to his son's diagnosis with a learning disorder.

But the most apparent theme in all these stories is how much the governor clearly loves his wife and kids, who have followed him every step of the way through his political career.

During the Democratic National Convention in August, his family certainly had an emotional night, as his son Gus watched him with tears in his eyes, pointed proudly at his father, and declared: "That's my dad."

Likewise, through social media, Tim has made it endlessly clear just how much he loves his kids, as he said on Father's Day: "I am so lucky to be a dad to these two amazing kids!"

Here's everything you need to know about Walz's two kids.

Hope, 23

© Star Tribune via Getty Images
Gwen and Tim Walz hold hands in front of their daughter, Hope, during the 2022 State DFL Convention

Tim and Gwen welcomed their eldest child Hope in 2001, who was born via fertility treatment. In fact, the reason why they named their daughter Hope comes down to the fact they had been trying to have a child for so long. Tim told the Star Tribune: "It’s not by chance that we named our daughter Hope."

Hope is an alumni of Montana State University, who now works as a social worker in the state.

The father-daughter duo share a close bond, with the 23-year-old regularly featuring on his social media. Back in 2019, Hope and Tim filmed a video to raise awareness for the state's new hands-free laws while driving, aiming to prove just how distracting phones can be. 

The video didn't go quite as planned - but certainly showed off their tight bond as Tim made a dig about making sure "teen drivers are not texting," which Hope interrupted to suggest that "it's actually mostly bald men," leading to him shouting "cut!"

Similarly, the duo filmed a video at the Minnesota State Fair in which Hope tricked her father into going on the Slingshot ride, which he seemed to enjoy despite the odds. In the clip, it was revealed that the 23-year-old is a vegetarian as Tim suggested they grab a corndog

© Andrew Harnik
Gus gets emotional as he watches his father take the stage

"I'm vegetarian," she said, as Tim responded: "Turkey, then." As Hope started to protest that "turkey's meat," her father teased: "Not in Minnesota, turkey's special."

The duo have also bonded over fly-fishing, with Tim sharing photos of his daughter out in fishing gear with him.

Gus, 17

© Chip Somodevilla
Gus hugs his dad

The couple would go on to welcome their son Gus in 2006, who officially got his driver's licence in 2023. Congratulations! 

Gus is in his senior year at St. Paul Central High School, where he witnessed a shooting while playing volleyball; a 16-year-old was shot outside of the Jimmy Lee Recreation Center. Tim revealed that his son's experience had impacted his own belief in stricter gun laws.

Gwen and Tim revealed that their son struggled growing up, as: "it became increasingly clear that he was different from his classmates. Gus preferred video games and spending more time by himself."

© Instagram

They revealed to People that: "When he was becoming a teenager, we learned that Gus has a nonverbal learning disorder in addition to an anxiety disorder and ADHD, conditions that millions of Americans also have."

Their son was a big reason behind the family getting a dog, Scout — "a 3-month-old black Lab mix, from local shelter @midwestanimalrescue." It wasn't long after they picked up the pup that he got into a bit of trouble, locking himself in the Walz's bedroom last year.

© Getty Images
Gus was diagnosed with a non-verbal learning disorder, ADHD and an anxiety disorder as a teenager

Fortunately, it wasn't long before Scout was "free at last!" after Tim kept his followers updated with bated breath.

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