Ella Sofia Gordon is the eldest child of four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon and his wife, Belgian former model Ingrid Vandebosch. Born on 20 June 2007, she has grown up largely away from the media spotlight despite her father’s towering reputation in American motorsport. As she now steps into adulthood, heading off to university and exploring her own interests, more people are asking who she really is beyond her famous surname. This article covers her background, her family life, her education, and what she has been doing lately.
Ella Sofia Gordon: Bio Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ella Sofia Gordon |
| Date of Birth | 20 June 2007 |
| Age (2026) | 18 years old |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Father | Jeff Gordon, four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion |
| Mother | Ingrid Vandebosch, Belgian former model |
| Sibling | Leo Benjamin Gordon (born August 2010) |
| Education | University of Michigan, Class of 2030 |
| Interests | Track and field, field hockey, acting |
| Public Profile | Rarely appears in media; attends select family and NASCAR events |
| Notable Early Moment | Designed a paint scheme for her father’s No. 24 Chevrolet in 2010 |
Quick Facts About Ella Sofia Gordon
Ella Sofia Gordon is an American teenager best known as the daughter of NASCAR icon Jeff Gordon. She was born in the United States and, as of 2026, is 18 years old and preparing to begin university.
- Full name: Ella Sofia Gordon
- Date of birth: 20 June 2007
- Parents: Jeff Gordon (NASCAR driver) and Ingrid Vandebosch (former model)
- Sibling: Leo Benjamin Gordon, born August 2010
- Known for: Being the daughter of a NASCAR champion, track and field athlete, aspiring actor
Who Are Ella Sofia Gordon’s Parents?
Ella’s father, Jeff Gordon, is one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR history. He won 93 Cup Series races and four championships during a career that ran from the 1990s into the mid-2010s, and he now serves in a leadership role at Hendrick Motorsports after retiring from full-time racing in 2015.
Her mother, Ingrid Vandebosch, is a Belgian former model who built a career in fashion before marrying Jeff Gordon in 2006. The couple welcomed Ella the following year, and their close, private approach to parenting has shaped how Ella has grown up largely outside the public eye.
Early Life and Childhood
Ella Sofia Gordon was born on 20 June 2007 in the United States, weighing 7 pounds and 1 ounce. Her arrival came while her father was still competing at the top level of NASCAR, and news of her birth spread quickly among motorsport fans given his profile at the time.
Even so, her parents made a deliberate choice to keep her childhood as normal as possible. She was given the chance to try things like quarter midget car racing at around age six, though she did not pursue racing as a long-term interest, choosing instead to explore other passions as she grew older.
Does Ella Sofia Gordon Race Cars Like Her Father?
No, Ella Sofia Gordon does not race competitively. While she experimented with quarter midget racing as a young child, she moved away from motorsport and found her own path in athletics and the arts instead.
Interestingly, her connection to NASCAR was not limited to spectating. At just three years old, in 2010, she was credited as the creative mind behind a special paint scheme for her father’s No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet, giving her an early, symbolic role in the sport her father dominated.
Ella Sofia Gordon’s Interests: Track and Field
Rather than following her father onto the track in a literal sense, Ella found her competitive outlet on the athletics field. By 2023, reports confirmed that her energy had shifted towards track and field, particularly running.

Her athletic range extends beyond sprinting. She has also taken part in field hockey and tried her hand at high jump and pole vault, showing versatility across several disciplines rather than settling on just one event.
Is Ella Sofia Gordon Interested in Acting?
Yes, acting is one of Ella’s stated interests. Her Instagram bio reportedly lists “actor” among her pursuits, suggesting she is exploring performance alongside her academic and athletic commitments.
This interest sets her apart from both of her parents’ primary careers in racing and modelling, reinforcing that she is carving out an identity based on her own preferences rather than simply following in her family’s footsteps.
Where is Ella Sofia Gordon Going to College?
Ella Sofia Gordon was accepted into the University of Michigan as part of the Class of 2030, with the news announced in December 2025. This marks a significant milestone in her transition into adulthood and confirms she is pursuing higher education rather than a career in motorsport or entertainment immediately.
Her acceptance came shortly before she turned 18 in mid-2026, aligning with the typical timeline for American students moving from secondary school into university life.
Family Life and Privacy
Jeff Gordon and Ingrid Vandebosch have consistently worked to shield Ella and her younger brother, Leo Benjamin Gordon, from excessive media attention. Despite their parents being public figures, both children have appeared only occasionally at select events, such as NASCAR ceremonies and charity galas, rather than regularly in the press.
Ella and Leo, who was born in August 2010, are described as sharing a close sibling bond. The family’s approach to privacy has allowed both children to grow up with a degree of normalcy that is uncommon for the offspring of high-profile athletes.
Does Ella Sofia Gordon Have Siblings?
Yes, Ella has one younger brother, Leo Benjamin Gordon, born in August 2010. The two reportedly maintain a close relationship and have appeared together at family and NASCAR-related events over the years.
Conclusion
Ella Sofia Gordon has grown from a NASCAR fan favourite as a young child into a young woman shaping her own future. Born to Jeff Gordon and Ingrid Vandebosch in 2007, she has moved away from motorsport towards track and field and acting, and she is now preparing to begin her studies at the University of Michigan. Her story reflects a deliberate, privacy-conscious upbringing that has allowed her to build an identity separate from her parents’ fame while still staying connected to the world that shaped her early years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ella Sofia Gordon?
Ella Sofia Gordon is the daughter of NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon and Belgian former model Ingrid Vandebosch. Born on 20 June 2007, she is known for staying largely out of the public eye while pursuing her own interests in athletics and acting.
How old is Ella Sofia Gordon?
Ella Sofia Gordon was born on 20 June 2007, making her 18 years old in 2026. She recently completed secondary school and has been accepted into university.
Which university is Ella Sofia Gordon attending?
She was accepted into the University of Michigan as part of the Class of 2030, with the acceptance announced in December 2025. This makes her one of the incoming students starting in the following academic year.
Does Ella Sofia Gordon race cars?
No, she does not race competitively. She tried quarter midget racing briefly as a child but instead developed a passion for track and field, along with an interest in acting.
Does Ella Sofia Gordon have any siblings?
Yes, she has one younger brother named Leo Benjamin Gordon, born in August 2010. The siblings are described as close and have appeared together at family and NASCAR-related events.









