Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt, 70, Linked to 27-Year-Old Daughter of Prominent German Politician
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has sparked fresh media attention after being spotted with Gloria-Sophie Burkandt, the 27-year-old daughter of a high-ranking German politician. The 70-year-old tech billionaire and the young economist and model were seen together at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, prompting speculation regarding the nature of their relationship.
Reports from German media outlet Bild identified Schmidt’s companion as the daughter of Markus Söder, the Minister-President of Bavaria and leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU) party. Söder is considered one of Germany’s most influential conservative figures. The sighting has drawn particular scrutiny due to the significant age gap between the pair; Schmidt is 43 years older than Burkandt and 21 years senior to her father.
Witnesses at the exclusive Swiss summit observed the pair walking together through the event’s venue. When approached by reporters from Rebel News for comments on various topics, Schmidt declined to answer questions while Burkandt walked alongside him. Following the Davos appearance, Bild reported that the two have been spending time together in New York, where Burkandt is reportedly pursuing a Ph.D., as well as in other international locations.
Sources vary on the status of their connection. While Bild characterized the relationship as romantic, citing the pair’s frequent recent travels together, insiders close to Schmidt have downplayed the rumors. A source speaking to the New York Post insisted that Burkandt was merely part of Schmidt’s entourage in Davos and described the dynamic as “just a friendship, not a relationship.”
Burkandt has established a public profile independent of her father’s political career. She holds degrees in business management and economics and has worked as a model, appearing in international publications such as Vogue Turkey. She is also an author and serves as a patron for the “Richard Wagner for Children” project at the Bayreuth Festival. Her social media activity recently alluded to her presence at the forum, where she expressed interest in discussions surrounding artificial intelligence and the future of Europe.
Schmidt, who served as Google’s CEO from 2001 to 2011 and later as Executive Chairman of Alphabet Inc., has an estimated net worth exceeding $30 billion. He has been married to Wendy Schmidt since 1980. The couple is well-known in philanthropic circles and has been the subject of long-standing reports regarding an open marriage arrangement, though they remain legally married.
The speculation comes ahead of another potential high-profile joint appearance. Reports suggest that Schmidt and Burkandt may both attend the upcoming Munich Security Conference, set to take place in mid-February 2026. Neither party has issued an official statement addressing the rumors directly.
* abdpost.com
* hindustantimes.com
* haberler.com
* infonasional.com
* indiatimes.com
* hindustantimes.com
