Bill Gates isn’t joining the engaged billionaires club just yet.
The Microsoft founder, 67, sparked speculation that he popped the question to his girlfriend, Paula Hurd, after she was seen in paparazzi pics wearing a diamond sparkler on her ring finger.
However, a spokesperson for Gates confirmed the ring has belonged to Hurd, 61, for years and is not a sign that the pair is engaged.
“Our office can confirm that the ring Mrs. Hurd was seen wearing has belonged to her for decades,” the tech boss’ rep told Pvnew Tuesday.
The couple ignited rumors that they were headed for the altar when they were seen getting into a helicopter in New York City Monday.
Hurd, who is the widow of former Oracle CEO Mark Hurd, stunned in a black shirt with green detailing around the neck and a piece of jewelry on her left hand.
Pvnew has also contacted Gates’ reps, but did not immediately hear back.
The business mogul, who is worth an estimated $120 billion, announced his split from wife Melinda Gates after 27 years of marriage in May 2021.
The former couple finalized their divorce three months later and continued amicably co-parenting their kids, Jennifer, 27, Rory, 24, and Phoebe, 20.
Paula, for her part, was married to Mark from 1990 until his death in October 2019 following a reported battle with cancer. He was 62.
They shared two children: daughters Kathryn and Kelly.
Paula and Bill were first spotted at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in March 2022, followed by the Laver Cup at the O2 Arena in London in September that year.
However, romance rumors didn’t begin to swirl until they were photographed together in Australia this past January.
The pair, who share a mutual love of tennis, was seen at the Australian Open together and reportedly also took a stroll around Melbourne.
“It’s widely known that Bill Gates and Paula Hurd are dating, but she hasn’t met his kids yet,” a source told People in February.
Paula and Bill may have also bonded over their mutual interests in tech and philanthropy.
She previously worked as a tech executive at NCR Global, a digital banking software company, before pivoting to a career in event planning and humanitarianism.
