Gavin Newsom Reflects on Rift with Billy Getty

California Governor Gavin Newsom has opened up about his painful split from former friend Billy Getty, the son of billionaire Gordon Getty. According to Newsom, there’s a complex backstory involving financial ties and a close relationship with Gordon that led to their falling out.

This reflective moment comes from his memoir, “Youth in a Hurry,” where he shares not just his political journey, but also anecdotes from his earlier life, including his time as the ever-popular bachelor mayor of San Francisco.

Newsom and Billy grew close, especially after the tragic death of Billy’s older brother, Andrew, who struggled with addiction. Newsom writes that Billy, the youngest Getty, had a knack for sharing obscure details about San Francisco’s history and was particularly passionate about wine.

The duo ventured into the restaurant business together, partially funded by Gordon Getty. They started at Balboa Café and launched PlumpJack, which eventually blossomed into Newsom’s wine business.

Their friendship even led to shared vacations, including a group trip to Maui with Newsom’s then-girlfriend and Billy’s future wife.

While Billy had previously dated Newsom’s girlfriend, that wasn’t the main issue; it was essentially about how their dynamics shifted due to Newsom’s closeness with Gordon Getty. Newsom suggests that this connection bred some resentment from Billy.

At one point, they planned a major renovation on a property in Pacific Heights, where Billy was set to oversee the project. However, things took a turn after Billy and his wife returned from their honeymoon. Vanessa Getty reportedly wanted Newsom to leave the property to seize the moment in the hot housing market. This request led to a “forensic audit” of their business relationship.

During this turmoil, Gordon Getty sided with Newsom when local reporters confronted him about the situation. He expressed unwavering support for Newsom amidst the disputes.

Gordon swiftly bought out Billy’s business stake, but despite that, the friendship never reconciled. Newsom reflects on this loss as “one of the big holes in my life.” Today, Billy Forbes remains active in philanthropy living in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights.

Interestingly, last year Vanessa Getty faced legal issues stemming from an accident involving her Porsche that injured an elderly man. Billy commented that he apologized on the scene, emphasizing the complexities underpinning their lives.