Paula Hurd: 7 Fascinating Facts About Bill Gates' 'Serious Girlfriend' And Her Powerhouse Career

As of December 2025, Paula Hurd has become one of the most talked-about figures in the global tech and philanthropy circles, primarily due to her confirmed, high-profile relationship with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. However, to define her solely by this connection would be a disservice to her decades-long career as a successful technology executive, dedicated philanthropist, and prominent figure in the Silicon Valley community. Her journey is a compelling narrative of professional achievement, personal resilience, and deep commitment to charitable causes, particularly in education and sports. The interest in Paula Hurd intensified significantly in early 2025 after Bill Gates publicly referred to her as his "serious girlfriend" during a February 2025 appearance, solidifying their status as a power couple. Their joint appearances, including a notable red carpet debut at the 10th Breakthrough Prize Ceremony in April 2024 and subsequent sightings in New York City in May 2025, have placed a fresh spotlight on her remarkable life and achievements that span far beyond her current romantic partnership.

Paula Hurd: A Complete Biographical Profile

Paula Hurd (née Paula Kalupa) is a distinguished figure in the American business and philanthropic landscape.

• Full Name: Paula R. Hurd (née Kalupa)
• Date of Birth: c. 1962 (Age 63 as of 2025)
• Place of Birth: Unknown (Associated with the Silicon Valley area)
• Nationality: American
• Education: Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from the University of Texas at Austin (Class of 1984)
• First Career: Sales and alliance management at National Cash Register (NCR) Corporation, spanning decades.
• Former Spouse: Mark V. Hurd (Former CEO of Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Oracle Corporation). Married from 1990 until his death in 2019.
• Children: Two daughters, Kathryn Hurd and Kelly Hurd.
• Current Partner: Bill Gates (Microsoft Co-founder and Philanthropist). Relationship confirmed as "serious" in February 2025.
• Key Philanthropic Roles: Board of Regents at Baylor University; Chairwoman of the Universal Tennis Foundation (since 2022).
• Known Interests: Tennis, fitness, and supporting educational institutions.

1. Her Decades-Long Career as a Tech Executive at NCR Corporation

Before her marriage to the late tech titan Mark Hurd, and long before her connection to Bill Gates, Paula Hurd forged a significant and successful career in the technology sector. Immediately following her graduation from the University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in 1984, she joined National Cash Register (NCR) Corporation. At NCR, a major player in enterprise technology, Paula Hurd spent a considerable portion of her professional life, rising through the ranks in sales and alliance management roles. This background is crucial, as it highlights her deep understanding of the technology industry, corporate structure, and business development—a world she shares with both her late husband and her current partner. Her experience is not merely as a spouse of a tech leader but as a proven executive in her own right.

2. The Shared Passion: Tennis as a Foundation for a New Relationship

The connection between Paula Hurd and Bill Gates is rooted in a shared, long-standing passion for tennis. They were initially photographed together at various tennis tournaments long before their romantic relationship was made public. These public sightings, often at high-profile events like the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, date back several years. Their mutual love for the sport provided a natural, low-key environment for their friendship to develop, eventually evolving into a serious relationship following Gates' 2021 divorce from Melinda French Gates and the death of her husband, Mark Hurd, in 2019. This shared interest in the sport continues to be a central part of their public life, providing a relatable common ground for the two global figures.

3. A Dedicated Philanthropist Focused on Education and Tennis

Paula Hurd’s philanthropic efforts are extensive, demonstrating a commitment to giving back, particularly in the areas of education and sports. She is recognized as a longtime community volunteer and philanthropist from Silicon Valley. One of her most significant roles is serving on the Board of Regents for Baylor University, a position that underscores her dedication to higher education. Additionally, in 2022, she took on a leadership role as the Chairwoman of the Universal Tennis Foundation. This foundation is dedicated to promoting the sport of tennis globally, aligning perfectly with her personal interests. Her work here involves supporting initiatives that make tennis more accessible and competitive, further establishing her as a key figure in the tennis community and a powerful advocate for youth sports development.

4. The Widow of Tech Giant Mark Hurd

Paula Hurd was married to Mark V. Hurd for nearly three decades, from 1990 until his passing in 2019. Mark Hurd was a towering figure in the technology world, having served as the CEO of Hewlett-Packard (HP) and later as the CEO of Oracle Corporation. The couple was known for their joint philanthropic activities and raised two daughters, Kathryn and Kelly. Her experience as the spouse of a high-level corporate executive, navigating the intense scrutiny and demands of the tech industry's upper echelon, provided her with a unique perspective on the world of extreme wealth and influence, which is highly relevant to her current public profile.

5. The Official Confirmation and Public Appearances in 2025

The relationship between Paula Hurd and Bill Gates moved from speculation to official confirmation in early 2025. During a television appearance in February 2025, Gates stated, "I'm lucky to have a serious girlfriend named Paula," eliminating any lingering doubt about the nature of their bond. This public acknowledgment was followed by increasingly visible joint appearances. Their attendance at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony marked a significant step, as it was their first official red carpet event as a couple. Subsequent sightings, such as their May 2025 trip to New York City, continue to be reported by major news outlets, indicating their willingness to share their life together with the public, albeit maintaining a degree of privacy.

6. An Alumna of the University of Texas at Austin

Paula Hurd is a proud alumna of the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Her education at this prestigious institution provided the foundational knowledge for her successful career at NCR and her subsequent business acumen. This connection to a major public university in Texas also contrasts slightly with the typical East and West Coast-centric backgrounds of many Silicon Valley figures, adding another dimension to her profile.

7. Navigating the Scrutiny of the Global Spotlight

Since the official confirmation of her relationship with Bill Gates, Paula Hurd has been thrust into a global spotlight that few individuals ever experience. She is now closely associated with one of the world's wealthiest and most influential philanthropists, a dynamic that brings intense media scrutiny and public curiosity. Despite this, she appears to be navigating the transition with grace, maintaining her commitment to her own philanthropic work and professional interests. Her ability to balance her high-profile personal life with her established roles in the Universal Tennis Foundation and Baylor University demonstrates a strong personal identity and dedication that remains independent of her partner's fame, solidifying her status as a power player in her own right.