Bill Gates, one of the wealthiest individuals globally, ended his 27-year marriage with Melinda Gates in 2021.

Speculation about the couple’s split included rumors of infidelity on the part of the Microsoft co-founder. It was rumored that Gates engaged in an extramarital affair with a subordinate in 2000, followed by invitations to dinners with other female employees of his company. Additionally, reports surfaced about private parties at strip clubs, frequented by Gates, and his association with Jeffrey Epstein.

While the validity of these rumors remains uncertain, Gates wasted no time in unveiling his new relationship with Paula Heard. The pair has been spotted together on vacations and at tennis tournaments, including attendance at a private engagement party for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. Their public debut occurred at the Breakthrough Prize ceremony, where Gates appeared jubilant, and Heard maintained a demure smile.

So, who is the fortunate woman who captured the heart of one of the world’s wealthiest men? Paula, aged 60, was previously married to Mark Hurd, the former CEO of Oracle and Hewlett-Packard executive, who passed away in 2019.

Paula has a background in IT and initially pursued a career in the field, likely how she crossed paths with Heard. However, for the past few decades, she has dedicated herself to philanthropy and event planning, as stated on her personal website.

Sources suggest that Gates and Heard bonded over shared interests, particularly their philanthropic endeavors and love for tennis. Heard, a mother of two adult daughters, inherited a significant sum from her late husband, with her own wealth estimated at $4 million, a modest amount compared to Gates’ fortune.