Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has spoken out about his relationship with girlfriend Paula Hurd for the first time.
In an interview on the Today show, Gates, 69, shared his joy, saying, “I’m lucky to have a serious girlfriend named Paula. We’re having fun, going to the Olympics, and enjoying lots of great things together.”
Paula Hurd, a philanthropist and developer, was previously married to former Oracle CEO Mark Hurd, who passed away in 2019.
The couple was first seen together in 2022, and by early 2023, they had made their relationship public. Since then, they’ve been spotted together at various events, including the Paris Olympics, Breakthrough Prize Ceremony, and Anant Ambani’s wedding.
In an interview with The Times of London, Gates admitted that his divorce from Melinda French Gates after 27 years of marriage remains the biggest regret of his life. Despite his current happiness, he acknowledged that the divorce was a challenging period for both him and Melinda, lasting at least two years.
Reflecting on their separation, Gates took responsibility for the pain he caused Melinda during their marriage, mentioning an affair with a Microsoft employee. “I certainly made mistakes, and I take responsibility,” he said, noting that getting into the specifics wasn’t productive but acknowledging the harm done.
Another key factor in their divorce was Gates’ past connection with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Melinda voiced her strong disapproval of Gates’ meetings with Epstein, calling him “abhorrent” and “evil personified.” Gates later described his relationship with Epstein as a “mistake.”
