Gordon Ramsay may be one of the world’s most successful celebrity chefs, but when it comes to parenting, he has no interest in raising spoiled children. The Hell’s Kitchen star has shared that while he often travels in first class for work and business, his children are seated in economy—and it’s a rule he’s unapologetically strict about.
The father of six explained that the decision is all about teaching his kids the value of money and hard work. “They haven’t worked anywhere near hard enough to afford that,” Ramsay once told reporters, stressing that luxury should be earned, not given. He believes that separating his children from the perks of his success will keep them “grounded” and instill in them a sense of responsibility.
Ramsay, who is worth an estimated $200 million, insists that his children—Megan, twins Holly and Jack, Matilda, Oscar, and baby Jesse—should understand the importance of ambition rather than entitlement. By drawing this clear line, he hopes they’ll learn to appreciate achievements rather than take them for granted.
The decision has sparked plenty of debate among fans and parenting experts. Some admire Ramsay’s tough-love approach, praising him for preparing his kids for the real world rather than shielding them with wealth. Others, however, see it as unnecessarily harsh, questioning whether such rigid boundaries might create feelings of exclusion.
Ramsay isn’t the only celebrity parent to adopt this philosophy. Fellow stars like Simon Cowell and Gordon’s longtime friend Victoria Beckham have also spoken about being cautious with how their children experience wealth, emphasizing the importance of humility. In Ramsay’s case, it ties directly to his own upbringing, where he learned the value of discipline and perseverance without the safety net of privilege.
For Ramsay, parenting comes down to instilling values. Whether it’s insisting his kids fly economy or encouraging them to pursue their own passions outside of his culinary empire, the chef is committed to ensuring they understand that success must be earned. “It’s not about being mean,” he once clarified. “It’s about teaching them respect.”
