Paula Hurd, 62, is a philanthropist and former tech executive who has been in a relationship with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates after his 2021 divorce from Melinda French Gates.
In a January 2025 interview with The Times of London, Gates shared that he’s “more cheerful” at 69 than ever before.
Gates publicly confirmed their relationship in early 2023, though the pair had been seen together at various events as early as late 2021.
“I’m lucky to have a serious girlfriend named Paula,” Gates said during a February 2025 appearance on Today. “We’re having fun. Going to the Olympics and lots of great things.”
Here is a closer look at Hurd’s life before and after her relationship with Gates.
She is the widow of former Oracle CEO Mark Hurd
Hurd was married to Mark Hurd, whose career spanned leadership roles at software company Oracle and tech giant Hewlett-Packard, for nearly 30 years until his death in October 2019.
They had two daughters, Kathryn and Kelly.
She has a background in the tech industry
Hurd graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, U.S., with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1984, according to her bio on Baylor University’s website.
She then took on various leadership roles at software company National Cash Register. Her final position was as vice president of services, overseeing a team managing global strategic partnerships, according to Business Insider newspaper.
Today she works as a developer and organizer of diverse and “memorable” event experiences for personal, corporate and charitable occasions, as detailed in her LinkedIn bio.
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Bill Gates and girlfriend Paula Hurd at the pre-wedding celebration for Anant Ambani, the son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani in March 2024. Photo courtesy of the Reliance Industries |
She is a philanthropist
She and her late husband were active contributors to various causes.
A longtime donor to her husband’s alma mater, Baylor University, Hurd played a key role in helping the institution’s “Give Light Campaign” reach its US$1 billion goal, with a $7 million donation in 2021, according to lifestyle magazine People. In September 2023 the university opened the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center in recognition of their contributions.
“Our family is absolutely thrilled with the Hurd Welcome Center,” Paula said in a press release from Baylor University. “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.”
Additionally, she serves as chairperson for the Universal Tennis Foundation, where she sponsors annual awards for college players transitioning to professional tennis.
Rumors of engagement with Gates
Although the couple had been seen together publicly at a sporting event as early as October 2021 and again in September 2022, it was not until February 2023 that a source close to them confirmed the status of their relationship. At the time the relationship was described as “widely known.”
In July 2023, rumors about a potential engagement surfaced when Hurd was seen wearing a ring while out with Gates in New York City. However, a spokesperson for Gates clarified to People that the ring had belonged to Hurd for some time and did not symbolize an engagement.
Shared love of tennis
The couple both share a passion for tennis.
The tech mogul has played alongside tennis legends such as Rafael Nadal and Andre Agassi in charity matches. He also revealed to Business Insider that his pandemic routine included socially distanced tennis.
One of their earliest public appearances together was at the Laver Cup tennis tournament in 2022. They also watched a match at the Australian Open in January 2023.
Public appearances with Gates
The couple’s relationship has been marked by numerous public appearances together.
In August 2023 they attended Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s engagement party held aboard Bezos’s $500 million yacht off the coast of Italy.
In September 2023 Gates accompanied Hurd to Baylor University for the official opening of the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center.
They also attended a pre-wedding celebration in March 2024 for Anant Ambani, the son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani. The lavish, three-day event began with a performance by Rihanna.
Gates and Hurd made their red carpet debut together at the 10th annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony in Los Angeles in April 2024.
The couple was spotted at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they joined Gates’s daughter, Jennifer, and her husband, Nayel Nassar, to watch the U.S. women’s gymnastics team.