10 Photos of Gloria-Sophie Burkandt: 27-Year-Old Model Now Dating Ex-Google Boss, 70, Eric Schmidt

The high-tech corridors of Silicon Valley have collided with the political elite of Bavaria as billionaire Eric Schmidt is reportedly dating German model and PhD student Gloria-Sophie Burkandt.

Eric Schmidt, 70, is the former CEO of Google and Executive Chairman of Alphabet Inc., while Gloria-Sophie Burkandt, is a 27-year-old German model and actress. Burkandt is notably the eldest daughter of Markus Söder, the Minister-President of Bavaria and leader of the conservative CSU party.

Speculation about the nature of their relationship emerged after the pair were seen together at the World Economic Forum in Davos on 21 January 2026. While representatives have described their connection as a 'close friendship', a German media outlet has claimed the relationship is romantic. Captured in a viral video, Schmidt was seen walking side-by-side with Burkandt through the snowy Swiss resort, flanked by security.

The duo has reportedly been spending significant time together across India, the US, and Europe. This marks another chapter in Schmidt's well-documented history of dating younger high-fliers while remaining married to his wife of 46 years, Wendy Schmidt, a relationship that Schmidt has previously described as non-traditional.

The sightings were confirmed in late January 2026, with the relationship reportedly intensifying following a meeting at Harvard University in November 2025. The pair have most recently been observed in Davos, Switzerland, and are expected to attend the Munich Security Conference together between 13 and 15 February 2026.

Burkandt, who stands at an impressive 6ft 2in, is far more than a 'plus-one' on the billionaire circuit. An Elite Model who has graced the pages of Vogue Turkey, she is currently balancing a flourishing acting career, recently attending the German Acting Awards in Berlin, while pursuing a PhD in economics.

Her involvement in the relationship has caused a stir in German political circles, particularly given that Schmidt is 21 years older than her father, Markus Söder. Despite the 43-year age gap, reports have suggested the pair connected over shared interests in technology and global policy, topics that Burkandt described as 'deeply moving' in a recent social media update where she advocated for a 'free, curious, and fair world' for future generations.

The 'Open Marriage' and Elite Dating Circles

Schmidt's romantic life has long been a subject of fascination for both the tech industry and the tabloids. With a net worth estimated at $36.7 billion, the former tech titan has been known to navigate a series of relationships with younger entrepreneurs and models.

His previous four-year romance with American entrepreneur Michelle Ritter, 31, ended in 2024 amidst a flurry of legal disputes, including Ritter's allegations of 'absolute surveillance' and a 'system of control', claims that Schmidt's attorneys have dismissed as 'demonstrably false'.

Despite these various partners, Schmidt maintains a united front with Wendy Schmidt, his wife since 1980. The couple continues to appear together at philanthropic events, such as the LACMA Art + Film Gala in November 2025, sustaining a domestic arrangement that has been described in reporting as non-exclusive.

Burkandt is reportedly the latest addition to this complex social hierarchy, appearing with Schmidt in venues where he previously introduced his former flames.

A Z-Generation Voice of Influence

Burkandt has worked hard to distance herself from the 'nepotism baby' label often associated with the children of powerful politicians. While she remains close to her father, she has spent much of the last two years building an independent brand in New York and Munich.

Beyond her modelling for brands like Miu Miu and Tom Ford, she is a vocal advocate for the environment and has been transparent about her past struggles with anorexia, even becoming a patron for the 'Richard Wagner for Children' education initiative.

As the couple prepares for the Munich Security Conference this week, the spotlight on Gloria-Sophie Burkandt is set to intensify. Whether the reported relationship develops further remains to be seen, but for now, the model and the mogul appear to be the most talked-about crossover in the 2026 social calendar.