Bill Gates and Paula Hurd: Timeline of the tech billionaire's relationship with the widow of Oracle's former CEO

Although the couple had been seen attending the same sporting events since October 2021, it was not until February 2023 that a source officially confirmed their relationship to the Daily Mail.

Both were previously married. Gates, 69, divorced Melinda French Gates in 2021 after 27 years of marriage. Paula Hurd, 62, lost her husband Mark Hurd in 2019.

Here’s a timeline of their relationship.

2021

Both avid tennis fans, Gates and Hurd frequented similar social circles before their relationship began.

In October, Gates was spotted sitting one row ahead of Hurd at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in California, next to his former girlfriend, Ann Winblad. Gates revealed to Business Insider that tennis played a significant part in his pandemic routine, often playing socially distanced matches.

2022

March: Gates and Hurd appeared together at the Indian Wells tennis tournament in California. They were seen leaning towards each other in the stands during a match between Paula Badosa of Spain and Maria Sakkari of Greece.

Gates, known for participating in charity tennis matches alongside Rafael Nadal and Andre Agassi, shares a passion for the sport with Hurd, who chairs the Universal Tennis Foundation. This organisation helps college players transition into professional careers and supports youth and wheelchair tennis programs.

September: The couple attended the 2022 Laver Cup at the O2 Arena in London.

Bill Gates and Paula Hurd at the pre-wedding celebration for Anant Ambani, the son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani. Photo from X

2023

January: They attended the Australian Open in Melbourne, where they were seated front-row at the men’s singles final between Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The pair also visited Sydney, where Gates met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Photos surfaced of the couple strolling around the city, although Hurd was not identified at the time.

February: The Daily Mail confirmed their relationship, quoting a friend who described them as "inseparable." The friend added, "They've been together over a year, and she's always described as a 'mystery woman,' but it's no mystery to their inner circle that they're in a romantic relationship."

July: Rumours of an engagement surfaced when Hurd was seen wearing a ring in New York City. Gates’ spokesperson clarified to People magazine that the ring was one Hurd had worn for some time and was not an engagement ring.

August: They attended the engagement party of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez aboard Bezos's $500 million yacht off the coast of Italy.

September: The tech mogul accompanied Hurd to Baylor University for the opening of the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center, named in honor of their contributions to the university.

2024

March: The couple attended a lavish three-day pre-wedding celebration for Anant Ambani, the son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani.

April: They walked the red carpet together at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony, often referred to as the "Oscars of Science," which recognises outstanding scientific achievements.

July: Hurd joined Gates at the Allen & Co. Sun Valley Media and Technology Conference in Idaho, a prestigious event where top tech leaders and investors gather to discuss industry trends.

August: The couple attended the 2024 Paris Olympics, joining Gates's daughter Jennifer and her husband, Nayel Nassar, to watch the U.S. women’s gymnastics team.

2025

February: Gates released his memoir Source Code and acknowledged Hurd for her role in reviewing the manuscript, describing her as a "dear and trusted friend."

During an appearance on NBC’s Today show, Gates shared his appreciation for their relationship, saying, "I’m lucky to have a serious girlfriend named Paula. We’re having fun ― going to the Olympics and lots of great things."

April: The pair attended the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony once again, walking the red carpet together in Santa Monica, California.