Stephen Hawking’s Son – Robert Hawking Wiki (Bio, Age, Microsoft Job, Height, Family)
The entire world knows Stephen Hawking. It has been more than 2 years since he left us for his heavenly abode. However, his contributions to a black hole and in general science has paved the way for future generations. There is also a movie named “Theory of Everything” that shows the life of the famous physicist in the best possible manner. Although this 2014 movie highlights the life of Stephen Hawking from ALS to breaking into the scene of Hawking Radiation, the movie did make all the viewers wonder about his wife and children.
Stephen Hawking has three children with his first wife Jane Wilde. All three of them are doing great in their respective lives. There is a lot to dig in Stephen’s family. His eldest child is Robert Hawking who wishes to remember Stephen as a father and also a grandfather rather than any public figure.
Robert’s Early Life and Education
Many of you may remember Stephen Hawking as one of the most decorated scientists of all time. There are also some who may remember him from Sheldon Cooper’s biggest obsession. However, there is certainly no denying the fact that Stephen was a scientist who had his subject right up his sleeves till the day he departed. Just like his father, Robert Hawking is also an academic junkie. However, he is more interested in engineering as opposed to his father’s interest. Nonetheless, both father and son went to Cambridge University to get their post-graduate degree.
Robert Hawking was born in May 1967 and since his early age, he started showing interest in physics. However, with time, he got more interested in engineering and lost his interest in physics. He got his Master of Arts degree from Cambridge University and later received his Master in Business Information Technology Systems from the University of Strathclyde.
Robert’s Family
Married to Katrina Hawking, Robert has a son and a daughter with his wife. Katrina herself is a member of the Evergreen ALS Association and devotes herself to the cause. You will understand her deep concern for ALS through her Facebook posts. In 2014, Robert and his siblings, Lucy (see more at the William Smith Lucy Hawking page) and Timothy took an ALS Ice Bucket Challenge along with Robert’s son. This challenge was recorded and witnessed by Katrina Hawking herself.
Along with Robert, Katrina also hosts a series of virtual wine tasting program in collaboration with the ALS Association. This was to create awareness and also raise funds for ALS. This was the disease that took away Stephen’s life. There have been several campaigns for ALS and the entire Hawking family has been in the front line of such campaigns.
Stephen and His Harmonious Relationship with His Family
Robert clearly states in his eulogy the way his father took pride in his three kids. He loved the kids a lot till the day he died. Even on days when Stephen experienced his worse conditions, he would ask his sons Timothy and Robert to accompany him to a water slide park and also to Aviemore so that he could witness them ski.
While the three kids were growing, Stephen did everything he could to spend as much time with them as possible. He also ensured that he could meet the needs of his kids. Robert did mention that Stephen always used to go to Lucy’s plays. However, he was never on time for the plays. He also accompanied Timothy Hawking to car races as Tim was fond of motor racing. Stephen always pushed himself to take his grandchildren to the pantomime.
All about his Father Getting Abused by his then Wife
The whole Hawkings share a lot of love and respect for each other. Even when they had separated in the year 1995, Jane, her husband Jonathan, and their kids visit Stephen’s house. She has now become a grandmother and has even decided to be responsible for Lucy’s son, who is autistic.
Tim and Lucy were a bit concerned when they saw that there was a bruise on Stephen’s body and he had a broken arm.
They told in an interview that they never knew the exact intent for Mason’s marriage. They completely blamed her (Stephen’s second wife) Elaine Mason for this injury and bruise. They said the behavior was not acceptable. Even the nurse who took care of Stephen said that Elaine has been abusing her husband.
In one of the statements, she told in an interview she said:
She gets angry and has thrown him on the bed where he kicks his limbs or hurts himself. She allowed him to slip down low in the bath so the water goes in the hole in his throat.
However, Stephen always denied it. He said to him:
“My wife and I love each other very much, and it is only because of her that I am alive today, he said in January 2004, speaking from Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge.
“The stories in the media are completely false, and I am profoundly disappointed by the circulation of such personal and inaccurate information” according to Hawking.
However, they separated in the year 2006. The reason for this was never disclosed.
Robert and His Affection and Love for His Father: Stephen Hawking
Robert had a very affectionate and loving bond with his father. He was just a young child when he started to take care of his father. Her mother thought he was very affectionate & emphatic as a son. She said in an interview:
“He had to do things for his father that children really shouldn’t have to,” said Jane.
At Stephen’s funeral, he gave a eulogy. He told everyone that he remembered his father, as a hero who had lived his life to the fullest while facing ALS.
Several Patents Attached to Robert’s Name
His dad had made many inventions, but Robert has his share as well. He was working at Microsoft and had developed many programs along with his colleagues. His inventions were programs such as redirecting the source of a data object & user interface filter.
Although this was not much as “Hawking Radiation,” he has made some inventions in the IT sector.
