Ex-Google boss Eric Schmidt, 70, is said to be dating a 27-year-old German model who is the daughter of Bavaria’s powerful minister-president.
The billionaire has been spotted with Gloria-Sophie Burkandt at high-profile global events, including the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Their public appearances – and 43-year age gap – have drawn intense attention on both sides of the Atlantic. Schmidt is 21 years older than Burkandt’s father, Markus Soder.
Burkandt herself hinted at the significance of the moment in a January 21 Instagram post from Davos.
‘Being at the World Economic Forum and listening to conversations about AI and the future of Europe deeply moved me,’ she wrote. ‘When I imagine my future children, I hope they grow up in a world that protects curiosity, freedom, and compassion.’
According to German newspaper BILD, Schmidt and Burkandt have spent a lot of time together in recent weeks, traveling across the United States, India, and Europe. They are expected to attend the Munich Security Conference next week.
A source close to Schmidt’s circle told the newspaper he would not formally describe the connection as a romantic relationship, saying instead that the two are ‘close friends.’
Burkandt’s father, Soder, is also the leader of Germany’s conservative Christian Social Union, placing her at the center of one of Europe’s most influential political families.
She has built her own public profile as a model, author, and public speaker, while also serving as patron of the Richard Wagner for children education initiative, linked to the Bayreuth Festival.
Eric Schmidt, 70, is seen alongside Gloria-Sophie Burkandt is 27. The pair were seen together at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, above
Gloria-Sophie Burkandt is 27. Sources have insisted that she and Schmidt are just friends
According to German media reports, she studied economics, completed graduate degrees, and is pursuing doctoral work.
Her international lifestyle, splitting time between New York, Los Angeles, Munich, and Nuremberg, suggested she was already familiar with the lifestyle of the elite before Schmidt entered the picture.
According to BILD, Schmidt and Burkandt are believed to have met at Harvard University in late 2025.
Shortly afterward, they began appearing together at major international gatherings.
Schmidt’s influence today extends far beyond Silicon Valley. He remains active in artificial intelligence, aerospace ventures, and philanthropy, shaping discussions about the future of technology and national security.
Burkandt has similarly positioned herself within global conversations about economics, education, and social development.
In December 2025, she wrote on Instagram: ‘Ready for a year full of love, happiness, loyalty, and passion.’
Schmidt, who led Google through its explosive growth into a global technology powerhouse, has been married to philanthropist Wendy Schmidt, 70, since 1980.
Schmidt has been married to his wife of 45 years, Wendy, with whom he has an open relationship. The pair are picture in November 2025
Burkandt is a model, public speaker, and patron of the Bayreuth Festival’s ‘Richard Wagner for Children’ project
Burkandt is the daughter of Markus Söder, right, the Minister-President of Bavaria and leader of Germany’s Christian Social Union. Pictured, July 2024
Burkandt has studied economics and is pursuing doctoral-level academic work, according to German media reports
Burkandt has lived and worked internationally, including spending extended time in New York and Los Angeles while building her career in media and public speaking
Burkandt is the daughter of Markus Söder, one of Germany’s most prominent conservative political leaders
She currently serves as president of the Schmidt Family Foundation, which funds environmental and social initiatives worldwide.
The two reportedly have an open relationship, with Eric having been previously linked to glamorous younger women, including fashion designer Shoshanna Gruss, socialite Ulla Parker, PR executive Marcy Simon, Council on Foreign Relations communications VP Lisa Shields, pianist Cho-San Nguyen, former CNBC correspondent Kate Bohner, and former Olympic skater Alexandra Duisberg.
Eric and Wendy have maintained an unconventional marital arrangement and have never announced plans to divorce. They continue appearing together publicly.
His immense wealth, estimated to be in the tens of billions, has allowed him to operate at the highest levels of business, science, and international policy long after stepping down from day-to-day leadership at Google.
He was the CEO of Google from 2001 until 2011, before serving as executive chairman of the company from 2011 until 2018.
Schmidt’s latest relationship follows a bitter and highly public legal dispute with tech entrepreneur Michelle Ritter, whom he dated after meeting through professional connections.
Ritter filed legal claims accusing Schmidt of abuse, surveillance, and coercive control – allegations he has forcefully denied.
Schmidt previously dated tech entrepreneur Michelle Ritter, pictured, who later filed for a temporary restraining order against the 70-year-old Schmidt in 2024
Elon Musk and Eric Schmidt are seen at an award ceremony in Los Angeles in April 2024
Schmidt, right, has frequently attended global forums such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he mingles with presidents, prime ministers. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is seen alongside Schmidt in 2021
Eric Schmidt is seen next to Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway back in 2012
In a court response, Schmidt called her claims ‘demonstrably false’ and described them as ‘a blatant abuse of the judicial system.’
His attorney Patricia Glaser later told the Daily Mail Ritter’s filings were ‘false and defamatory’ and ‘the latest desperate and destructive effort’ to damage his reputation.
The legal fight stemmed from the collapse of both their romantic relationship and shared business ventures, including an AI startup Schmidt had backed with substantial investment.
The Daily Mail has reached out to both Schmidt and Burkandt for comment.