After divorcing his first wife, Melinda French, Bill Gates had been spotted several times over the years with Paula Hurd, the widow of former Oracle CEO Mark Hurd.
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Despite being seen together over the years, Gates hadn’t talked much about his relationship with his girlfriend. However, the tech mogul talked about his love life on The Today Show recently. During the interview, he explained he had a ‘serious girlfriend’.
Bill Gates confirms relationship with Paula Hurd
As mentioned above, Bill Gates finally confirmed his relationship with Paula Hurd is serious on The Today Show, calling her his ‘serious girlfriend’. He revealed they are ‘having fun’ together.
I'm lucky to have a serious girlfriend named Paula. So we're having fun, going to the Olympics and lots of great things.
Moreover, in an interview with The Times in January 2025, the Microsoft co-founder explained that he was ‘more cheerful’ since his divorce.
As reported by People, Gates and Hurd confirmed the relationship in February 2023, but they had been seen together in 2022. The couple made their first red carpet debut in April 2024 at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony.
Who is Paula Hurd?
Before getting into a relationship with Bill Gates, Paula Hurd was married to Mark Hurd, the CEO of the software company Oracle and former boss of Hewlett-Packard. The two were together for 30 years, until his death in October 2019. The couple had two daughters, Kathryn and Kelly.
Hurd earned a business administration degree from the University of Texas in 1984. Once she finished her studies, Hurd worked in sales and alliance management at the software company NCR (National Cash Register).
As reported by People, Paula now works as a developer and organiser of a wide range of ‘memorable’ event experiences for personal, corporate, and charitable occasions.
Of late, Bill Gates has been more public about his personal life and he hasn't just opened up about his current relationship. He also revealed how he's been doing since his divorce from Melinda.
Bill Gates opens up about his divorce from Melinda French
Bill Gates divorced his first wife, Melinda French, in 2021. Despite finding love again, Gates recently disclosed that he ‘regrets’ how things ended with Melinda.
Speaking about the divorce, the Microsoft co-founder explained that he has many other ‘failures’, but his divorce is ‘at the top of the list’. Gates 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 regretting the divorce, Bill and Melinda are still friendly with each other. In the interview the billionaire explained that they still see one another as they share three children, including Phoebe, who doesn't want her wealth to define her, and two grandchildren.
Melinda and I still see each other — we have three kids and two grandchildren, so there are family events. The kids are doing well. They have good values.
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Sources used:
Daily Mail: ‘Bill Gates finally confirms he has a 'serious girlfriend' after calling Melinda divorce his worst mistake ever’
The Times: ‘Bill Gates: Trump, Musk and how my neurodiversity made me’
People: ‘Who Is Bill Gates' Girlfriend? All About Paula Hurd’
The Independent: ‘Bill Gates says divorcing Melinda Gates was mistake he ‘most regrets’
