Gavin Newsom’s Personal Insights in Upcoming Memoir

Gavin Newsom recently shared a poignant memory about his struggle with dyslexia during his childhood. He recalled how, one night, his mother reassured him, saying, “It’s okay to be normal.”

In his soon-to-be-released memoir, Newsom describes the frustration his mother, Tessa Menzies, expressed when he struggled to finish his homework. Her words, intended to comfort him, have left a lasting impression on him.

The California governor, now 58, reflected in “Youth in a Hurry” that he found the comment particularly painful. He mentioned, “I don’t remember a more cruel thing being said about me.”

Newsom admitted that as a child, he had significant difficulties with reading and was even expelled from elementary school for cheating by using CliffsNotes.

Interestingly, he acknowledged that even in his current role, he grapples with delivering prepared speeches. He described his polished public persona as more of a coping mechanism rather than pure self-assurance.

Another painful memory for Newsom is that of assisting his mother in ending her life with a fatal dose of morphine, which he did when assisted suicide was still illegal. Tessa, who had struggled with breast cancer for years, chose to take her own life in 2002 at the age of 50.

Newsom vividly recalls the look on her face during that moment, stating it “will never leave my mind.” He reflected on how there was “no peace over her” as she prepared to say goodbye.

At the time of his mother’s passing, Newsom served on San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors, and soon after, he became the city’s youngest mayor in a century.

“Youth in a Hurry” is set to be published on February 24, 2026, and promises to provide a deep dive into the personal narratives of potential presidential candidates.