Bill Gates isn’t shy about expressing his happiness with girlfriend Paula Hurd.
“I’m fortunate to have a wonderful girlfriend named Paula,” Gates, 69, shared during the Tuesday, February 4, episode of the Today show. “We’re having a great time—planning to attend the Olympics and enjoy many exciting experiences together.”
Romance rumors between the couple first surfaced in 2023, two years after Gates’ divorce from ex-wife Melinda Gates.
Paula, who was previously married to the late Oracle CEO Mark Hurd, made her official red carpet debut alongside Bill in April 2024 at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony.
During a January interview, Gates referred to his divorce from Melinda, 60, as the “biggest mistake” he regrets. On Today, he clarified his remarks.
“My business career, though it has had ups and downs, has been overwhelmingly successful. My children are incredible, and I find it difficult to complain about anything,” Gates said. “I’ve moved on from the divorce, and Melinda is doing well. I’m deeply engaged in work I love, so I don’t dwell on regrets.”
When cohost Savannah Guthrie asked whether he would “wave a magic wand to undo the divorce,” Gates responded, “No, I wouldn’t go that far.”
Despite acknowledging the challenges of divorce, Gates emphasized that his years with Melinda were valuable. “Even though the divorce was tough, having those three kids and the work we accomplished together—knowing what I know now—I would still do it all again,” he admitted.
Bill and Melinda announced their separation in May 2021 after 27 years of marriage. They share three children—daughters Jennifer, 28, and Phoebe, 22, and son Rory, 25—as well as two grandchildren: Jennifer’s daughters, Leila, 23 months, and Mia, 3 months.
Gates also reflected on parenting and grandparenting, saying, “You never want to pressure your kids to follow in your footsteps.” Guthrie, 53, responded playfully, “Especially when they’re only 10 months old!”
Laughing, Gates added, “Yeah. The oldest turns two next week, so I got some nice fluffy dolls. I’ll try to be a good grandfather, reading books like my grandparents did.”
Bill and Melinda first met in 1987 when she joined Microsoft. After marrying, they co-founded a nonprofit together.
Following their divorce, Melinda has since stepped away from the foundation, while the two continue to navigate co-parenting their adult children.
“Melinda and I still see each other—we have three kids and two grandkids, so we attend family gatherings,” Gates shared in January. “The kids are thriving, and they have strong values.”
