Who is Paula Hurd ? Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates’ ‘serious girlfriend’

The Microsoft co-founder left a shoutout for his new girlfriend in the acknowledgements of his memoir.
February 5, 2025
Paula Hurd
Bill Gates and Paula Hurd

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has shared that he is dating philanthropist Paula Hurd. They have been seen together at several events since 2022, but it wasn’t until 2023 that rumors about their relationship began making news.

They have been photographed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, a university basketball game, and on the red carpet at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony in Los Angeles.

In an appearance on the Today show, Gates said, “I’m lucky to have a serious girlfriend named Paula. We’re having fun. Going to the Olympics and lots of great things.”

Gates divorced his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, in 2021.

Who is Paula Hurd?

Paula Hurd is a philanthropist who was previously married to Mark Hurd, the CEO of Oracle and former head of Hewlett-Packard. After nearly 30 years of marriage, her husband passed away in October 2019.

Paula graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1984 with a business administration degree. She began her career in sales and alliance management at the National Cash Register.

Currently, Paula is the chairwoman of the Universal Tennis Foundation and also works as a philanthropist and community volunteer.

She has supported various educational and health organizations, using fundraising for NGOs. Along with her late husband, Paula has supported Baylor University, helping them build a Welcome Centre.

“When we made this gift, Mark had a vision for how a welcome experience could transform this corner of campus, and the outcome has far exceeded our expectations,” she said in 2023. Paula also donated $7 million to the new Baylor Basketball Pavilion.

Paula Hurd has two daughters, Kathryn and Kelly, from her late husband.

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