SACRAMENTO — California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s forthcoming memoir, “Young Man in a Hurry,” pulls back the curtain on a childhood split between his single mother’s modest household and occasional forays into the opulent world of the Getty family.
Dual worlds of wealth and modesty
Newsom recalls being fitted in Brioni suits “appropriate to meet a king” at age 20 and flying on the Gettys’ private “Jetty” to a Spanish debutante party. Back home, he and his sister staged an annual “gift‑return” routine, finding fault with designer clothes sent by the Getty heirs so their mother could exchange them for presents the children truly needed.
He describes his mother’s relentless work ethic—juggling up to three jobs at once—to keep the family afloat after his parents’ divorce, while his father’s friendship with Gordon Getty granted brief glimpses of luxury, including trips to the Rogue River, Hudson Bay and an African safari.
Why the memoir matters now
Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential contender and one of President Trump’s most vocal critics, uses the book to reshape a “one‑dimensional” public image that has long linked his rise to Getty oil money. He says the memoir is a “memoir of discovery” that helped him understand the anxieties stemming from dyslexia, his mother’s warnings, and the “split personality” of his upbringing.
The upcoming book tour, kicking off on Feb. 21 in Nashville with stops in Georgia, South Carolina, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, gives Newsom a platform to meet voters and present his narrative without formally entering a presidential race.
Key personal revelations
Newsom writes that his mother, Tessa, warned him against the “shrewd marriage of tall husbands and tall wives” and the social games of elite circles. He also details his struggle with dyslexia, his teenage obsession with self‑help guru Tony Robbins, and how early business ventures—like the PlumpJack winery funded in part by the Gettys—shaped his political boldness.
Reflecting on his recall attempt during the COVID‑19 pandemic, Newsom admits the experience left a lingering voice questioning his political path, yet he credits his mother’s influence for his early support of gay marriage and his “hustle.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the title of Gavin Newsom’s memoir?
The memoir is titled “Young Man in a Hurry.”
How does Newsom describe his childhood upbringing?
He portrays a dual upbringing: a modest life with a single mother who worked multiple jobs, contrasted with episodic exposure to the Getty family’s wealth and luxury.
What events are planned to promote the book?
A book tour begins on Feb. 21 in Nashville and will include stops in Georgia, South Carolina, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
What aspects of Newsom’s past do you think will resonate most with voters as he embarks on this memoir tour?
