Bill Gates has confirmed his new relationship just weeks after admitting that his divorce from Melinda was his biggest mistake. They were married for 27 years and raised three children together before separating in 2021, according to Tengri Life, citing DailyMail.
27 Years of Marriage and Three Children: How Gates and Melinda Maintained Their Friendship
Bill Gates shared that his marriage remained strong while he built his multi-billion dollar empire. Now, he and Melinda maintain a friendly relationship.
Bill Gates mentioned that he and Melinda continue to communicate during family events, as they have three children and two grandchildren. According to him, the heirs have grown up with the right values and feel great.
New Girlfriend
In recent years, 69-year-old Bill Gates has been spotted multiple times with 62-year-old Paula Hurd, the widow of former Oracle CEO Mark Hurd. However, it was only recently that the billionaire openly discussed his relationship for the first time.
In an interview with The Today Show, Gates confessed that he is happy in his new romance: "I’m lucky to have a serious girlfriend named Paula. We’re having a great time, going to the Olympics, and doing many interesting things," he shared.
Bill Gates' Memoirs: How Paula Hurd Helped with the Book
During the conversation, he also introduced his memoir "How to Get Started: My Beginning," in which he talks about his life and the founding of Microsoft. Concluding the interview, Gates particularly highlighted Hurd, calling her a "thoughtful friend."
Among the first readers of Bill Gates' memoir manuscript were his close friends, including Paula Hurd. He noted that their "thoughtful feedback" played a crucial role in the final editing of the book.
The billionaire's acknowledgment of his new romance came just a month after he candidly spoke about his difficult divorce from Melinda. In a December interview with The Times, Gates described the separation as "the mistake I regret the most," adding that he now feels more cheerful.
"It was a mistake that I regret the most... there are others, but they don’t matter. The divorce was tormenting for both me and Melinda for at least two years," Bill Gates said.
Paula Hurd, who remarkably resembles Melinda, previously worked in technology and is now involved in event planning and charity work. Her husband, Mark Hurd, the former CEO of Oracle, passed away in 2019 after a prolonged illness.
The late Mark Hurd dedicated his career to technology, having worked at NCR, Hewlett-Packard, and Oracle since 2010. At the time of his death, his net worth was estimated at $500 million.
From Sydney to the Olympics: Where Gates and Hurd Were Spotted Together
Bill Gates details romance with ‘serious girlfriend’ Paula Hurd: ‘We’re having fun’ https://t.co/pwKORE77PI pic.twitter.com/308ECEtbMP
— Page Six (@PageSix) February 4, 2025
Although rumors about Bill Gates' new romance have circulated for a while, by 2023 it was clear that the billionaire had found love again two years after his divorce. In January, he was seen in Australia with Hurd, who was then referred to as his "mysterious companion."
Bill Gates & Paula Hurd Are Dating!
— Society Achievers (@SocietyAchievrs) February 10, 2023
Bill and Paula were seen enjoying the Australian Open together. Later, they were seen taking a stroll in Melbourne. The couple has reportedly been seeing each other for over a year. pic.twitter.com/MuBsD8PLx4
The couple enjoyed a walk in Sydney, sightseeing and admiring the view of the harbor near the iconic Opera House. Their meeting is not surprising – the Microsoft founder and influential Oracle executive have crossed paths multiple times over the years in Silicon Valley.
Since then, Gates and Hurd have appeared together at major events – they were spotted at the 2024 Olympics, a Baylor University basketball game, and on the red carpet. They were also among the guests at the elite "billionaire summer camp" in Sun Valley, Idaho, alongside influential figures such as Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez.
Divorce Worth Billions: Gates' Separation Became the Second Largest in the U.S.
Bill Gates' divorce became one of the most high-profile in U.S. history, second only to Jeff Bezos' separation from MacKenzie Bezos, which cost a record $38.3 billion.
New Love for Bill Gates' Ex-Wife: Who is Philip Vong and What is He Known For
While Bill Gates and Paula Hurd's relationship grows increasingly public, his ex-wife Melinda has also found new happiness.
In October 2024, she surprised the public by appearing at a dinner in New York with Seattle entrepreneur Philip Vong – a tech mogul who previously worked at her ex-husband's company.
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