Google Billionaire Eric Schmidt, 70, Sparks Interest with 27-Year-Old Companion: A Look Inside Their Public Appearance

Eric Schmidt, the 70-year-old former CEO of Google, has reportedly been seen in a romantic setup with Gloria-Sophie Burkandt, a 27-year-old model and the daughter of Bavaria’s minister-president. The pair were recently spotted at the renowned Davos summit, sparking widespread speculation.

The billionaire’s appearance alongside Burkandt at the prestigious Swiss event last month has caught the attention of Germany’s leading publication, BILD, which claims the two are indeed a couple.

The potential relationship, marked by a notable 43-year age difference, has piqued interest internationally. Notably, Schmidt is 21 years senior to Burkandt’s father, Markus Söder.

According to BILD, Schmidt and Burkandt have been inseparable of late, journeying together across various continents, including the United States, India, and Europe. The duo is anticipated to make an appearance at the Munich Security Conference in the coming week.

Despite the rumors, a source from Schmidt’s inner circle informed the publication that Schmidt refrains from labeling their bond as a romantic affair, preferring to describe them as ‘close friends’ instead.

Despite being married to his wife Wendy for 45 years, Schmidt has been recently linked to multiple young brunettes.

Eric Schmidt, 70, is seen alongside 27-year-old Gloria-Sophie Burkandt. 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 

Burkandt’s father, Soder, is 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. 

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 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.

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 wife Wendy for 45 years. While they have not commented publicly on their marriage, they are rumored to be in an open relationship. The pair are pictured 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 in 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

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, 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

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.