As Walz prepares for the fiercest political battle of his career, all eyes are on his family, who could soon become America’s new second family. During his time in office, the father of two has spoken openly about his relationship with his children Hope and Gus.
Here’s what you need to know about the children who influenced their father’s political career.
Tim Walz’s children were born and raised in Mankato, Minnesota
After their marriage in 1994, Tim and his wife Gwen moved to Mankato, Minnesota, where they worked as teachers at Mankato West High School. They eventually decided to raise their children in the city. Known as the Soybean Capital of the World, according to the city’s website, Mankato has a quaint atmosphere with plenty of cafes and parks.
Why Tim Walz and his wife Gwen Walz turned to fertility treatment
Tim has spoken openly about the struggle he and his wife faced in trying to conceive children. He told the Minnesota Star Tribune that Gwen went through fertility treatments for seven years while trying to conceive. In 2001, their daughter Hope was born, whose name is a nod to their ongoing struggle to have a child. She then welcomed their son Gus in 2006.
“I remember praying every night for a phone call with good news. The sinking feeling in my stomach when the phone rang and the agony when we heard that the treatments hadn’t worked,” the politician said, according to Today.
How Tim Walz’s children Hope and Gus Walz influenced his politics
Tim spoke again about their struggle to get pregnant after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled in February that embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) are considered children – a decision that could jeopardize the future of IVF in the state. Tim said the ruling has become “personal” for him. However, Gwen recently clarified that Hope was conceived after she underwent IUI treatment.
According to Glamour, Hope encouraged her father to stop accepting donations from the National Rifle Association (NRA) after the 2018 Parkland school massacre, in which 17 students and teachers were murdered. Tim said he not only stopped accepting donations from the NRA, but donated the donations he had already received to charity.
Walz’s positive attitude towards Gus Walz’s mental health problems
In August, Tim and his wife talked about Gus suffering from nonverbal learning disorder, ADHD and anxiety disorder.
“Like so many American families, we needed time to figure out how we could do everything we could to ensure Gus had a successful child growing up,” Tim said, according to People. “It took a while, but we immediately realized that Gus’ condition is not a setback – it’s his secret strength.”
At the Democratic National Convention, Gus burst into tears as his father accepted his nomination for vice president, mouthing the words “That’s my father” and pointing to the stage.
Tim Walz has a close relationship with his daughter Hope Walz
According to The Star Tribune, Hope graduated from Montana State University last year and works as a social worker in Montana.
