Early Life and Family Heritage
Ella Sofia Gordon was born in New York City on June 20, 2007, blending American sports royalty and European luxury. Aged 18 in June 2025. She was born 36 years after her father Jeff Gordon’s birth on August 4, 1971, foreshadowing her racing history connection. Ingrid Vandebosch, Ella’s mother, was born in Belgium in 1970, enriching her upbringing with diversity.
Ella’s childhood was distinguished by high-profile events and a carefully regulated private life, despite her pedigree. The Gordon family relocated between North Carolina and New York, exposing Ella to Hendrick Motorsports’ boardrooms and European fashion shows. In 2013, Ella, 6, might have had art lessons in the morning, karting in the afternoon, and ballet rehearsals in the evening.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | June 20, 2007 |
| Birthplace | New York City |
| Age (June 2025) | 18 |
| Father’s Birthdate | August 4, 1971 |
| Mother’s Birthyear | 1970 |
Ella divided her childhood between degustation lunches at her father’s corporate occasions and couture fittings with her mother’s modelling. Ella read college-level books by age 8 in independent schools known for intellectual rigour. Her academic success prepared her for artistic and athletic pursuits.
Creative Contributions to Motorsport
Ella Sofia Gordon debuted on the racecourse as a designer at 3 years old in 2010. At the Atlanta Motor Speedway event, she painted her father’s No. 24 DuPont Chevy with a humorous “My Papa’s Car” theme. This partnership was the first time a three-year-old influenced a top NASCAR car.
Ella drove a quarter-midget go-kart at a private Hendrick Motorsports test at 6 in 2013. The event attracted international attention for Ella’s fearlessness, despite her slow laps. She ultimately moved away from motorsports, but her early creative and technical work made her a racing legend.
| Age | Year | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2010 | “My Papa’s Car” paint scheme on No. 24 |
| 6 | 2013 | Quarter-midget go-kart test drive |
| 8 | 2015 | Design sketches for team apparel |
Ella’s drawings and colour palettes were used in Hendrick Motorsports concept art for team goods in 2014 and 2015, highlighting a long-term creative connection. Even after she stopped taking karting tests in 2016, her visuals influenced her father’s limited-edition souvenirs.
Shift to Athletics and Achievements
Athletics became Ella’s love by age 10 in 2017, after motorsport. She ran 100-meter sprints, high jump, and pole vault for her school’s track squad that year. Ella won several regional awards during the next five years:
- 2018 (Age 11): 2nd in regional 100 m dash in 13.2 s.
- 2019 (Age 12): 1.45 m junior high jump champion in district meet.
- 2021 (Age 14): Did 2.75 m in state-level pole vault.
- Age 16: Played midfield for a club field hockey team in 2023, scoring 8 assists in 12 games.
| Year | Age | Sport | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 11 | 100 m sprint | 2nd place, 13.2 s |
| 2019 | 12 | High jump | District champion, 1.45 m |
| 2021 | 14 | Pole vault | State qualifier, 2.75 m |
| 2023 | 16 | Field hockey | 8 assists in 12 games |
By 2024, Ella practiced sprints, plyometrics, and sport-specific routines six times a week. Under a professional sports dietician, she planned her diet to fuel her high-intensity exercises with 2,200–2,500 calories of lean proteins and complex carbohydrates.
Collegiate recruiters targeted her as a Division I track and field athlete in 2024. Her national performance in the top 5% of junior pole vaulters earned her verbal offers from three elite institutions in March 2025.
Family Influence and Background
Ella’s parents come from different public sectors. Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, born August 4, 1971 in Vallejo, California, with 93 career wins and $515 million+ in earnings. He contributed to paediatric healthcare charity by founding the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation in 1999 and co-founding a hospital in 2006.
Belgian-born Ingrid Vandebosch became a global model in the 1990s, walking Dior runways and appearing in Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar. Her 2025 net worth is estimated at $1.2 million from modelling, acting, and brand endorsements.
| Family Member | Birthdate | Role | Net Worth (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Gordon | August 4, 1971 | NASCAR champion, philanthropist | $200–$420 million |
| Ingrid Vandebosch | 1970 | International model, actress | $1.2 million |
| Leo Benjamin Gordon | August 9, 2010 | Younger brother, entertainer hopeful | — |
| Ella Sofia Gordon | June 20, 2007 | Subject: creative prodigy turned athlete | — |
Ella’s younger brother, Leo Benjamin Gordon (born August 9, 2010), shares her karting experiences but has recently been interested in digital media and content creation on new platforms. Ella and Leo work out together and attend family occasions like the 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame induction.
The Gordon-Vandebosch family is philanthropic, with both parents doing charitable work. Ella auctioned art at her first charity dinner at 9 in 2016, generating $150,000 for paediatric cancer research.
Public Presence and Private Life
Ella prefers solitude despite her family’s social media presence. Her private Instagram account, @ellacgordon, features less than 50 dance recital and lifestyle photos. Ella and her parents attend charity, motorsport, and sporting events about five times a year.
| Category | Frequency/Count | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Public Appearances | ~5 per year | NASCAR HOF, charity galas |
| Social Media Posts | <50 total | Dance, lifestyle highlights |
| Media Interviews | 2 (2018, 2022) | Local news features on athletics |
| Philanthropic Events | 3 since age 9 | Art auctions, hospital visits |
Ella gave only two short interviews to local media between 2018 and 2022, both about her athletic achievements rather than her family name. She described her training in those interviews, preferring sprint exercises and high jump over karting.
Ella’s athletic achievements and creative partnerships keep her in the spotlight in limited groups despite her low profile. Her balance between public involvement and personal privacy shows maturity as she approaches college-age decisions in 2025.
FAQ
When was Ella Sofia Gordon born?
Ella Sofia Gordon was born June 20, 2007.
Her first NASCAR creative contribution?
In 2010, she devised the “My Papa’s Car” paint job for her father’s No. 24 Chevy at age 3.
Which sports does she compete in?
Her sports include 100 m sprints, high jump, pole vault and hockey from age 10.
Who are her parents?
Her mother is Belgian model-actress Ingrid Vandebosch and her father is four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon.
Does she have any siblings?
She has a younger brother, Leo Benjamin Gordon, born August 9, 2010.
