Who is Paula Hurd, explained: Everything to know about Bill Gates’ girlfriend including her career, how they met, relationship timeline, and more

Since his split from his ex-wife, Bill Gates has found new love with a woman named Paula Hurd.

After his divorce from Melinda Gates in August 2021, the Microsoft co-founder began dating Hurd and he appears absolutely smitten. 

Earlier this year, Gates told The Times that he’s “more cheerful now” at age 69 than he has been in years.

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The couple’s relationship was first confirmed in February 2023 but they had been spotted in public together a few times prior. Since then they have made a number of public appearances including at last year’s Olympic Games and most recently at the Indian Wells Open tennis tournament.

Both Paula and Hurd’s previous relationships spanned three decades each and now they’re navigating new love together.

“I’m lucky to have a serious girlfriend named Paula,” Gates said in conversation with Savannah Guthrie on the US Today show.

“We’re having fun. Going to the Olympics and lots of great things.” 

Read on to learn more about Paula Hurd and her relationship with the tech billionaire.

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Who is Bill Gates’ new girlfriend Paula Hurd?

Paula Hurd, 62, is the widow of former Oracle CEO and president Mark Hurd. The pair were married for 30 years until he passed away in October 2019. 

Paula Hurd’s career

Hurd obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University of Texas in 1984, per her bio on Baylor University’s website.

She went on to pursue a 17-year-long career in sales and alliance management at the software company NCR (National Cash Register), according to her LinkedIn profile. 

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She has since pivoted from her career in tech and is currently involved in organising charitable events, as well as corporate and personal engagements.

She also sits on the Board of Regents at her husband’s alma mater Baylor University 

Paula Hurd’s philanthropy 

Hurd and her late husband have had a long-lasting relationship with the university. They have been longtime donors for the institution.

In 2018, the Hurds helped the school’s Give Light Campaign reach $1 billion with a generous $7 million donation. The school later opened a welcome centre in their name in 2023. 

“Our family is absolutely thrilled with the Hurd Welcome Centre,” Hurd said in a Baylor University press release. 

“When we made this gift, Mark had a vision for how a welcome experience could transform this corner of campus, and the outcome has by far exceeded our expectations and dreams. I know he would be proud.”

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Hurd’s children and late husband

In September 2019, Mark Hurd announced his intention to go on leave from his role as Oracle CEO for unspecified health reasons. On October 18, 2019 he died, reportedly of cancer. 

Hurd shares two daughters, Kathryn and Kelly with her late husband.

Gates’ ex-wife

After 27 years of marriage, Gates and Melinda French Gates divorced. The couple, who co-founded the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, announced they were going their separate ways. 

“After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage,” they shared in a statement on Twitter.

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Earlier this year speaking with The Times, Gates admitted that his divorce was a “mistake [he] most regrets”.

Gates and Hurd’s relationship

While news of Gates’ new relationship wasn’t confirmed until early 2023, Gates and Hurd were spotted together at several sporting events in the months prior including at the Laver Cup in September 2022 and the Australian Open in January 2023.

A source close to the couple confirmed their relationship in February 2023 sharing that the pair’s relationship was “widely known,” per People. 

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That same year, engagement rumours swirled after she was photographed wearing what appeared to be an engagement ring while out with Gates in New York City. However, a spokesperson for Gates poured cold water on the rumours soon after telling People that it was a ring that had belonged to Hurd for a while.

“Our office can confirm that the ring Mrs. Hurd was seen wearing has belonged to her for decades,” the spokesperson said.

Gates and Hurd’s public appearances

While the couple only make occasional public appearances, they are also making no secret of their relationship.

In August 2023 the couple attended Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s engagement party which took place on the Amazon founders $500 million yacht. Just under a year later, they attended a pre-wedding celebration for Anant Ambani, the son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani. 

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In April 2024, the couple dressed to the nines as they made their red carpet debut together at the 10th annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony in Los Angeles. 

The pair also lapped up the excitement of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. They joined Gates’ daughter and son-in-law Jennifer Gates and Nayel Nassar as they watched the US women’s gymnastics team. 

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