Who Are Tim Walz's Kids? All About Hope and Gus Walz
Tim Walz's kids had a moment in the spotlight at the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC).
He and wife Gwen Walz's two children, son Gus Walz and daughter Hope Walz took the stage with the vice presidential candidate after his speech on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024.
Gus had a particularly heartfelt moment when he tearfully held his heart and said, "That's my dad!" while the Minnesota governor was onstage.
Days earlier, they had a mini-viral moment when they gave their dad bunny ears while he was on TV for the DNC's opening night.
Get to know Tim Walz's children and how they've changed his life on and off the campaign trail.
Related: Get to Know Tim Walz's Wife Gwen Walz
Does Tim Walz have children?
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Tim and Gwen Walz share daughter Hope and son Gus, who Tim previously stated were conceived through in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
"When my wife and I decided to have children, we spent years going through fertility treatments," he said at the Philadelphia rally announcing his candidacy. "I remember praying each night for a call with good news, the pit in my stomach or the agony when we heard the treatments hadn't worked. So it wasn't by chance that when we welcomed our daughter into the world, we named her Hope."
Gus told Pod Save America that Gus was also conceived through IVF.
In late August 2024, Gwen clarified to Glamour that while Tim used the term "IVF" in a colloquial sense, Hope was technically conceived through intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatments.
"Our fertility journey was an incredibly personal and difficult experience," Gwen said. "Like so many who have experienced these challenges, we kept it largely to ourselves at the time."
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How old are Tim Walz's kids?
Tim Walz's daughter Hope, born in January 2001, is 23. His son Gus, born in October 2006, is 17.
Does Gus Walz have special needs?
Gus Walz has a nonverbal learning disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and an anxiety disorder.
"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," Tim and Gwen Walz said in an August 2024 interview with PEOPLE. "It took time, but what became so immediately clear to us was that Gus’ condition is not a setback—it's his secret power. [Gus] is brilliant, hyper-aware of details that many of us pass by, and above all else, he’s an excellent son and brother to his sibling."
Is Gus Walz neurodivergent?
Gus has an anxiety disorder, ADHD and a nonverbal learning disorder.
"When our youngest Gus was growing up, it became increasingly clear that he was different from his classmates. Gus preferred video games and spending more time by himself," Gwen and Tim told PEOPLE. "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."
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Is Gus Walz nonverbal?
Gus has a nonverbal learning disorder, which means his learning disorder is not language- or speech-related. According to the Cleveland Clinic, nonverbal learning disorders can impact executive functioning (like organization and scheduling), problem-solving, math skills, visual-spatial tasks (like coordination) and recognizing social cues like slang and body language.
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Who is Hope Walz?
Hope, Tim and Gwen Walz's daughter, features prominently in a lot of Tim's campaigning and social media.
When Tim signed a law banning the use of handheld cellphones while driving, she appeared in a funny PSA with him.
In July, Tim wrote on Instagram that Hope "tricked" her now-famous dad into going on the slingshot ride at the Minnesota State Fair.
On a more serious note, Tim also partially credits Hope for his support of an assault weapons ban following the 2018 Parkland school shooting.
"Hope woke up like many of you did five weeks ago and said, 'Dad, you're the only person I know who is in elected office. You need to stop what's happening with this,'" Tim said in a speech in early August 2024.
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Where did Hope Walz go to college?
Hope graduated from Montana State University in May 2023. Tim tweeted about the milestone, writing, "It's been incredible to see the person she's become — and I can't wait to watch all that she'll accomplish."
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