5 Key Facts About Paula Hurd: The 'Serious Girlfriend' Who May Become Bill Gates' New Wife

The search for "Bill Gates' new wife" has a definitive, yet nuanced answer in late 2025: While the Microsoft co-founder has not remarried, he is in a deeply committed, public relationship with Paula Hurd, whom he has referred to as his "serious girlfriend." This relationship marks his first major public romance since his 2021 divorce from Melinda French Gates, signifying a significant new chapter in the life of one of the world's most influential billionaires.

The couple's bond is rooted in shared passions for philanthropy, technology, and, notably, tennis. Their relationship has moved beyond speculation, with Bill Gates openly expressing his happiness and good fortune to have Paula in his life in interviews as recently as early 2025. The transition from a highly private life to a public, acknowledged partnership is a major development that continues to draw global attention.

Paula Hurd: A Complete Biography and Professional Profile

Paula Hurd is an accomplished professional, philanthropist, and the widow of a major figure in the tech industry, Mark Hurd. Her background is as impressive as it is relevant to Bill Gates' own world, suggesting a partnership built on mutual understanding of high-stakes business and large-scale charity. She is far more than just "Bill Gates' girlfriend"; she is a formidable entity in her own right.

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• Full Name: Paula Kalupa Hurd
• Education: Graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1984 with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in Business Administration.
• Career: She has a background in the technology sector, having worked in sales and alliance management at NCR (National Cash Register). She is also a developer and a dedicated philanthropist.
• Previous Marriage: She was married to Mark Hurd, the former CEO of Oracle and Hewlett-Packard (HP), for nearly 30 years. Mark Hurd passed away in 2019 after a battle with cancer.
• Children: Paula and Mark Hurd have two daughters, Kelly Hurd (who graduated from Baylor University in 2014) and Kathryn Hurd.
• Philanthropy: She is a significant donor and is actively involved in charitable causes, notably through the Mark & Paula Hurd Welcome Center at Baylor University.

The Shared World of Tech, Tennis, and Philanthropy

What truly connects Bill Gates and Paula Hurd is a constellation of shared high-level interests, which is a crucial factor for two people of their stature. Their relationship didn't blossom in a quiet corner of the world; it began in the highly visible, affluent world of major sporting events and global charity.

A Mutual Passion for Tennis

The most public and consistent thread in their relationship timeline is their shared love for tennis. Both Bill Gates and Paula Hurd are avid fans of the sport and are frequently seen attending major tournaments around the world. They were first spotted together publicly as far back as October 2021 at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. While reports indicate they were not dating at that time, their mutual presence at this high-profile event suggests that the tennis circuit was a natural meeting ground for their social circles. Their sightings at the Australian Open and other major events continued to fuel speculation long before Gates officially confirmed their romance.

Bridging Tech Titans: Microsoft, HP, and Oracle

The connection between Bill Gates and Paula Hurd is a fascinating intersection of the tech world's elite. Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, is now partnered with the widow of Mark Hurd, who was a pivotal CEO at two of Microsoft's major competitors: HP and Oracle. This shared history in the competitive, high-stakes environment of Silicon Valley's biggest companies provides a unique foundation for their relationship. They both understand the pressures, the scale, and the global impact of the technology industry, offering a level of mutual understanding that few others could provide.

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Public Confirmation and The Future of the Partnership

The relationship gained official status and a high degree of public scrutiny following Gates' divorce from Melinda French Gates in August 2021. For a period, the couple kept their connection relatively private, but by early 2023, the relationship was made official. The most recent and telling updates, however, came in early 2025.

Bill Gates' "Serious Girlfriend" Comments

In February 2025, Bill Gates appeared on the Today show and spoke openly about his new partner, calling Paula Hurd his "serious girlfriend." He stated that he was "lucky" to have her and that they were "having fun" together. These comments, made as he approached his 70th year, were a clear sign of his commitment and happiness. In a separate interview in January 2025, he expressed being "more cheerful" than ever before, a sentiment widely attributed to the positive influence of his new relationship.

The Public Debut and Shared Future

The couple made their red carpet debut at the Breakthrough Prize ceremony, an event known as the "Oscars of Science," further cementing their status as a power couple in the philanthropic and scientific communities. Their shared commitment to philanthropy, an area where Gates has focused his life's work through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is a strong pillar of their bond. They have also spoken about future plans, including attending the Olympics together, indicating a stable and forward-looking partnership.

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The Impact of the New Relationship on Bill Gates' Life

The introduction of Paula Hurd into Bill Gates' life comes after a period of significant personal change. His highly publicized divorce from Melinda French Gates, after 27 years of marriage, was a major turning point. Gates himself has referred to the divorce as "the mistake I most regret," acknowledging the pain and difficulty of the separation.

Paula Hurd represents a new chapter—one that is both familiar and fresh. She is a woman who understands the demands of a high-profile, high-net-worth life, having navigated a long marriage to another major tech CEO. Her status as a philanthropist aligns perfectly with Gates' post-Microsoft career focus on global health and climate change initiatives.

While the search query "Bill Gates new wife" remains technically inaccurate as of late 2025, the depth of his relationship with Paula Hurd suggests a lasting partnership. Their shared history in the tech industry, their mutual love for tennis, and their combined philanthropic efforts create a powerful and synergistic bond. The world continues to watch this evolving relationship, which is clearly bringing a renewed sense of joy and optimism to the life of the Microsoft co-founder.