Paula Hurd, currently in the spotlight as the confirmed partner of Bill Gates, has accumulated a substantial fortune, with her net worth estimated to range between $4 million and $35 million as of 2025.
Her wealth stems from a combination of her professional career in sales, her strategic management of investments, as well as her inheritance from her late husband, Mark Hurd, former CEO of Oracle Corporation.
Additionally, her philanthropic efforts, including significant contributions to Baylor University, have enhanced her public profile.
Early Life and Education
Born Paula Kalupa on April 27, 1962, Paula grew up in the United States and later pursued higher education at the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a degree in Business Administration in 1984. This solid academic foundation set the stage for a successful career in business and sales.
Professional Journey
Paula’s professional career took off when she joined NCR Corporation in 1984, where she specialized in sales and alliance management, contributing to the company’s expansion and success until 2001.
In 2002, she transitioned to manage her late husband’s family investments through MPH Investments, a role she still holds today. Her management skills were pivotal in overseeing Mark Hurd’s significant portfolio, which was valued at $500 million at the time of his passing in 2019.
Her work at MPH Investments involves the strategic handling of investments linked to both her own wealth and her late husband’s fortune.
Philanthropy and Impact
Paula Hurd is also known for her philanthropic efforts, with a primary focus on education and community development. A notable contribution includes her $7 million donation to Baylor University, which helped fund the Baylor Basketball Pavilion.
Paula also co-chairs the $1.1 billion “Give Light” campaign, an ambitious fundraising initiative by the university. Beyond education, Paula has supported healthcare and cancer research initiatives, aligning with her late husband’s battle with cancer.
Personal Life
Paula’s personal life has also attracted significant media attention. She married Mark Hurd, who was the CEO of Oracle Corporation, in 1990. The couple had two daughters, Kathryn and Kelly.
Mark Hurd, who was influential in the tech world, passed away in 2019 from cancer, leaving Paula a portion of his estate. Mark’s wealth at the time of his death was estimated between $150 million and $500 million. Paula’s net worth is shaped by both her professional earnings and this inheritance.
After Mark’s death, Paula entered into a relationship with Bill Gates in 2023, drawing attention due to Gates’ status as a billionaire philanthropist.
Their relationship was publicly confirmed in February 2025, with Gates describing Paula as his “serious girlfriend” during a TODAY interview.
Real Estate and Lifestyle
Paula and Mark Hurd once owned a luxurious home in Atherton, California, worth $7.1 million, which was sold for $7.8 million in 2012. This property, featuring five bedrooms and expansive outdoor spaces, reflected their affluent lifestyle at the time.
Although Paula keeps her personal life relatively private, she has attended high-profile events, including pre-wedding celebrations for the Ambani family and gatherings with prominent figures like Jeff Bezos and Donald Trump.
