Bill Gates’ love life: Who has the billionaire dated over the years?

Billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates—who has special plans for his $107 billion fortune—has spent decades in the spotlight, but his personal life has always been a subject of fascination.

Discover our latest podcast

While much is known about his marriage to Melinda Gates, not many are aware of the other women who played significant roles in his life. From his first serious girlfriend to his long-standing marriage and his latest romance, here’s a closer look at the relationships that have shaped Bill Gates’ life.

Jill Bennett: His ‘first serious girlfriend’

Before becoming one of the most powerful figures in the tech world, Bill Gates had an early romance with Jill Bennett. The pair met in 1983 at a party in Seattle’s Madison Park neighbourhood.

Bennett, a computer sales representative, was instantly drawn to Gates, and the two began dating. Interestingly, they were born just a day apart in the same hospital, reports NY Post. Bennett told the Seattle Times:

We even look a little alike.

However, their romance was short-lived. Gates’ obsessive work habits took a toll on their relationship. According to biographer James Wallace:

He would often show up at her house dead on arrival. He was always multitasking. His attention wasn’t 100 per cent on her. He was always thinking about all the other computer stuff.

Despite their split, Bennett remained a significant figure in Gates’ life. She went on to establish the Mary Gates Lectureship Series in 2003, named in honour of his late mother, who died of cancer. Sadly, Bennett was diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away in 2004. Gates paid tribute to her and said:

She was a remarkable human being — gifted, dedicated, and full of life.

She fought her cancer as bravely as anyone I’ve ever known. She never gave in — she actually found strength in bringing attention to the issue and inspiring people to work toward a cure.

Ann Winblad: The girlfriend who stayed in his life

Ann Winblad entered Bill Gates’ life in 1984 after they met at a computer conference. A software entrepreneur and venture capitalist, Winblad has had a long and successful career in the tech industry and shares the passion with Bill Gates.

When the two started dated, they even even engaged in ‘virtual dates,’ watching movies at the same time while in different cities and discussing them over the phone.

Their relationship lasted until 1987 when Winblad, five years older than Gates, was reportedly ready to settle down while he was still focused on Microsoft.

Despite their breakup, Winblad remained an important part of his life. Winblad even had a say in Gates’ next major relationship. Before proposing to Melinda, Gates sought her approval, according to People. Gate revealed in 1997:

When I was off on my own thinking about marrying Melinda, I called Ann and asked for her approval.

Winblad believed Melinda was ‘a good match’ for him and the rest is history.

While Gates was still married to Melinda, he still maintained a very strong friendship with Winblad. In fact, the two continued an annual tradition of vacationing together at Gates’ beach cottage in the Outer Banks of North Carolina even after his marriage to Melinda.

Winbald once said:

We share our thoughts about the world and ourselves. And we marvel about how, as two young overachievers, we began a great adventure on the fringes of a little-known industry, and it landed us at the centre of an amazing universe.

While Gates added:

We can play putt-putt while discussing biotechnology.

Melinda Gates: The love that defined his public life

Bill met Melinda French in 1987 at a trade show in New York, though their romance didn’t spark immediately. At first, Melinda was unimpressed with his lack of spontaneity, reports People. When he asked her on a date 'two weeks from now' and she refused. She recalled the story and said:

He said, 'You know, I was thinking maybe we could go out two weeks from [tonight].

Unimpressed by his approach, she said:

Two weeks from tonight? I have no idea what I'm doing two weeks from tonight. You aren't spontaneous enough for me.

However, Gates quickly called her back, asking, ‘Is this spontaneous enough for you?’ She agreed, and their relationship officially began.

Six years later, in 1993, Gates proposed, and they celebrated their engagement with a trip to Africa. The experience was life-changing, calling the trip her 'first real encounter with extreme poverty,' Melinda remarked that she and Bill ‘took a walk on a beach in Zanzibar and had the conversation that would end up changing our lives,’ inspiring them to later establish the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

On January 1, 1994, they tied the knot in a lavish wedding in Hawaii. Over the years, they welcomed three children: Jennifer (1996), Rory (1999), and Phoebe (2002). Melinda eventually left her job at Microsoft to focus on raising their family.

For 27 years, the Gateses were one of the world’s most influential power couples, earning numerous accolades for their philanthropy and business achievements. However, in May 2021, they shocked the world by announcing their divorce, stating:

After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage. Over the last 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all over the world to enable all people to lead healthy, productive lives.

We continue to share a belief in that mission and will continue our work together at the foundation, but we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives. We ask for space and privacy for our family as we begin to navigate this new life.

The split was followed by revelations of Gates’ affair with a Microsoft employee in 2000, though he maintained that it ended amicably. Gates later admitted and told The Times:

That was the mistake I most regret.

You would have to put that at the top of the list. There are others but none that matter. The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years.

Despite their separation, the two have maintained a working relationship and continued to co-manage their foundation until Melinda resigned in 2024. She said at that time:

After careful thought and reflection, I have decided to resign from my role as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Melinda has since moved on with her life, expressing that she is open to dating again. She has described life after divorce as ‘wonderful’ and added:

I live in a neighbourhood. Now I can walk to little stores. I can walk to the drugstore, I can walk to a restaurant. I absolutely love it.

Who is Bill Gates dating now? Meet Paula Hurd

After his high-profile divorce, Gates found love again with Paula Hurd, the widow of former Oracle CEO Mark Hurd. The two had been spotted together in 2022, but it wasn’t until 2023 that they confirmed their relationship.

Hurd, a businesswoman, now works as a developer and organiser of high-profile corporate and charitable events. She has a background in event planning and corporate partnerships and has been a steady presence in Gates’ life. The couple made their red carpet debut at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony in April 2024.

In a rare moment of openness about his personal life, Gates confirmed their relationship in a 2025 interview, saying: