Robert Hawking is a British software engineer best known as the eldest son of the late physicist Stephen Hawking and his first wife, Jane Wilde. He was born in May 1967 and reportedly worked for Microsoft in the United States. Unlike his famous father, Robert has kept much of his personal life private. He is married and has two children.
Robert Hawking Profile Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert Hawking |
| Date of Birth | May 19, 1967 (reported) |
| Age | 59 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Hertfordshire, England (reported) |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Software Engineer |
| Known For | Stephen Hawking’s eldest son |
| Father | Stephen William Hawking |
| Mother | Jane Beryl Wilde |
| Sister | Lucy Hawking |
| Brother | Timothy Hawking |
| Education | University of Oxford (reported) |
| Formerly Reported Employer | Microsoft |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Katarina (reported) |
| Children | One son and one daughter |
| Reported Residence | Seattle, Washington, USA |
| Net Worth | Not publicly confirmed |
Robert Hawking’s Early Life and Age
Robert Hawking was born in May 1967 in England. According to Legit.ng, his birthday is May 19, 1967, and his birthplace is Hertfordshire. Based on this reported date, he is 59 years old as of October 2026.
He grew up as the eldest of three children born to Stephen Hawking and Jane Wilde. His younger siblings are Lucy Hawking and Timothy Hawking.
Robert showed an interest in science during his childhood. His father was already a physicist when Robert was born and had been diagnosed with motor neuron disease in 1963.
As Stephen’s health declined, Robert helped his mother care for him. The family faced many challenges related to Stephen’s illness while he continued his scientific work.
Robert Hawking’s Parents
Robert’s parents are Stephen Hawking and Jane Beryl Wilde. They married in July 1965 and had three children together.
The couple separated in 1990, and their divorce was finalized in 1995. Both later married other people.
Stephen Hawking: Robert’s Father
Stephen William Hawking was born on January 8, 1942, in Oxford, England. He was a British theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author.
He became famous for his research on black holes, gravity, and the universe. His best-known book, A Brief History of Time, was published in 1988.
Stephen studied at the University of Oxford and later earned his doctorate at the University of Cambridge. He served as Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge from 1979 to 2009.
In 1963, at age 21, Stephen was diagnosed with motor neuron disease, often described as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The condition gradually affected his movement and speech.
Despite his illness, he continued his research for decades. He received several major honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.
His life and relationship with Jane were portrayed in the 2014 film The Theory of Everything. Eddie Redmayne played Stephen, while Felicity Jones played Jane.
Stephen Hawking died on March 14, 2018, in Cambridge, England, at the age of 76.
Jane Wilde: Robert’s Mother
Jane Beryl Wilde, also known as Jane Hawking, is a British author and former teacher. She was born on March 29, 1944.
Jane met Stephen while they were young and married him in 1965. She raised their three children while helping Stephen manage the effects of his illness.
She later wrote about their marriage and family life in her memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen. Her experiences helped inspire the film The Theory of Everything.
After separating from Stephen, Jane married musician Jonathan Hellyer Jones in 1997.
Robert Hawking’s Siblings
Robert has two younger siblings, Lucy Hawking and Timothy Hawking. Both have followed careers outside theoretical physics.
Lucy Hawking
Lucy Hawking is Robert’s younger sister. She was born in November 1970, although some online biographies give a different birth year.
She is a British author and journalist known for writing children’s books about science.
Lucy studied French and Russian at the University of Oxford and later studied journalism at City University in London.
She worked as a writer and collaborated with her father on the children’s science book George’s Secret Key to the Universe, published in 2007. They continued working together on other books in the George series.
Lucy married Alex Mackenzie Smith in 1998. They divorced in 2004 and have a son named William.
Timothy Hawking
Timothy Hawking is Robert’s younger brother. He was born in April 1979, with April 15 often reported as his birthday.
Timothy studied Spanish and French at the University of Exeter. He later worked for the LEGO Group in a loyalty-related role.
In interviews and documentaries, Timothy has discussed his relationship with Stephen Hawking.
He recalled playing jokes using his father’s computerized speech system. They also enjoyed watching motor racing together.
Robert Hawking’s Education
Robert reportedly studied software engineering at the University of Oxford.
According to a biography published by Legit.ng in September 2020, he graduated from Oxford before beginning his professional career.
However, his exact degree, graduation year, and earlier schools have not been independently confirmed in the available sources.
Robert Hawking’s Career at Microsoft
Robert Hawking chose a career in software engineering rather than following his father into theoretical physics.
Both The Sun and Legit.ng reported that he worked for Microsoft, the American technology company known for Windows, Microsoft Office, and other software products.
The Sun reported his employment at Microsoft in June 2018. Legit.ng also described him as a Microsoft software engineer in September 2020.
Robert reportedly lived in Seattle, Washington, with his family during this period.
His exact position, department, years of employment, and software projects have not been publicly established.
It is also unclear whether he still works for Microsoft in 2026.
Robert Hawking’s Wife and Marriage
Robert Hawking is married, according to reports published by The Sun and Legit.ng.
Legit.ng identifies his wife by the first name Katarina. However, her full name and personal background have not been reliably documented.
The couple reportedly lived together in Seattle with their children.
Their wedding date and other details about their marriage are not publicly confirmed.
Does Robert Hawking Have Children?
Yes, Robert Hawking reportedly has two children, a son and a daughter.
Both The Sun and Legit.ng mention his children, although neither publication gives their names or dates of birth.
Robert has kept his children’s personal lives away from public attention.
Robert Hawking’s Relationship With His Father
Robert had an important role in his family because he was the eldest child of Stephen and Jane Hawking.
Stephen was diagnosed with motor neuron disease four years before Robert’s birth. As the illness progressed, Stephen needed increasing help with daily activities.
According to The Sun, Robert helped his mother care for Stephen as his condition became more serious.
Robert was also interested in science when he was young. However, he eventually chose software engineering as his profession.
Unlike Stephen and Lucy, Robert has rarely appeared in public discussions about the family’s work and experiences.
Robert Hawking’s Net Worth
Robert Hawking’s personal net worth has not been reliably confirmed.
Legit.ng estimated his wealth at $5 million in 2020. However, the article did not provide financial records or other evidence supporting this figure.
The same publication claimed that Stephen Hawking’s family inherited nearly $60 million after his death. This amount has also not been independently established.
Robert’s salary, investments, properties, and inheritance are not publicly documented.
Where Is Robert Hawking Now?
Robert Hawking was reported to be living in Seattle, Washington, with his wife and children in 2018 and 2020.
During that period, he worked as a software engineer for Microsoft.
There is limited reliable public information about his activities in 2026. His current employer and place of residence have not been independently confirmed.
Robert has generally maintained a private life rather than pursuing the public attention associated with his father’s scientific career.
Robert Hawking’s Social Media
Robert Hawking does not have a widely verified public social media profile.
Some websites have used photographs attributed to accounts bearing his name, but their ownership has not been confirmed.
He has appeared in family photographs with Stephen Hawking, Jane Wilde, and his siblings.
However, reliable information about his personal interviews, public speeches, and recent appearances is limited.
Things to Know About Robert Hawking
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Robert Hawking is the eldest child of Stephen Hawking and Jane Wilde.
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He was born in May 1967 in England.
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His reported birthday is May 19.
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He is 59 years old as of October 2026, based on that date.
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His younger siblings are Lucy and Timothy Hawking.
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He developed an interest in science during childhood.
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He helped his mother care for Stephen Hawking.
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He reportedly studied software engineering at Oxford University.
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He worked for Microsoft, according to reports from 2018 and 2020.
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His wife’s first name is reported to be Katarina.
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He has a son and a daughter.
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He previously lived in Seattle, Washington.
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His current net worth and employment status are not publicly confirmed.
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