Ann Winblad is popularly known as a venture capitalist with several investment interests, but she is also known in some circles as the ex-girlfriend of tech billionaire Bill Gates. They have moved on romantically but remain good friends and help to sharpen each other’s business acumen in old age.
Ann Winblad is a successful businesswoman and can be referred to as one of the pioneers in the modern tech space. She is associated with developing a couple of systems software, helping several companies in various industries run their businesses effectively and profitably. She has won several awards for her contributions and remains active in tech.
What to know about Ann Winblad
There is more to meet the eyes of this personality than being Bill Gates’ ex-girlfriend. Their continued friendship, despite being romantically separated long ago, is a testament to this. Below are ten interesting facts about this tech innovator.
Who is Bill Gates’ lady friend?
Ann L. Winblad was born on 1 November 1950 in Red Wing, Minnesota. Ann Winblad’s age is 73. Her parents raised her in Rushford and Farmington with five siblings. She excelled as a cheerleader and graduated high school as a student valedictorian.
Her first degree was a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Business Administration from St. Catherine University. She later pursued a master’s in Education from the University of St. Thomas.
She has received several honours in recognition of her tech contributions
Ann Winblad received the John F. Cade Award for outstanding entrepreneurship in 1997. Her contributions led to an induction into the Fortune Small Business Hall of Fame in 2000. She also earned the 2017 Award for Exemplary Women and SVForum Visionary Award.
She is a Venture Capitalist
In 1989, Ann Winblad, alongside John Hummer, co-founded Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, the first venture firm exclusively focused on software. It took nearly two years to secure funds, with IBM and The St. Paul Companies as primary investors. Over her 40-year career, the firm launched over 160 enterprise software companies across various sectors.
Ann has over three decades of experience
Ann Winblad began her career as a systems programmer at the Federal Reserve after obtaining her master’s degree. Co-founding Open Systems, Inc., a prosperous accounting software company that marked a pivotal point in her career, she transitioned into a strategic consultant role for major corporations, including IBM and Microsoft.
She used to be Bill Gates’ lover
Notably, Winblad dated Bill Gates from 1984 to 1987. The lovebirds were acquainted at a Ben Rosen-Esther Dyson computer conference and have been inseparable since then. Despite their romantic relationship ending, they remained friends. Even after Gates married Melinda, they continued a unique tradition, spending a long weekend each spring at Winblad’s beach cottage.
So, why did Bill Gates not marry Ann Winblad? According to reports, their separation was occasioned by their age difference because, by the time five years-older Ann was ready to get married, Bill was not.
She sources investments for tech startups
Ann has a successful history of sourcing and leading investments in early-stage software companies. She was director for numerous private and public companies, including MuleSoft, Hyperion, Sonatype, The Knot, Liquid Audio, Net Perceptions, and Ace Metrix.
Ann currently serves on various boards
As a Managing Director of Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, Ann continues to play a pivotal role in the software industry. She serves as a Director of OptiMine, a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of St. Thomas, and a Board member of the Richard Schulze Family Foundation. Additionally, she is a member of CNBC’s Platinum Group.
Her former boyfriend divorced his wife of 27 years
Ann’s former lover and current friend was married for 27 years, and the former was a big fan of the marriage, but it all came crashing down in 2022. How did Bill Gates meet his ex-wife? They were acquainted at a trade fair in New York. According to a statement, their split resulted in both lovers no longer believing they could grow together as a couple in the next phase of their lives.
Her friend and former lover now has a new lover
Since parting ways with his ex-wife, Melinda, Bill Gates has been spotted with an acclaimed lover on occasion. Who is Bill Gates’ new lover? She is Paula Hurd, a philanthropist, former tech executive, and widow of the late Oracle co-founder Mark Hurd
She is a millionaire
According to Nicki Swift, Ann Winbald’s net worth is around $15 million thanks to her several investments in tech companies. This parallels Bill Gates’ or even Melinda Gates’ share of her husband’s assets during divorce.
Ann Winbald has remained friends with Bill Gates since their introduction in 1984. The duo shares a passion for tech and the business of it, and this cannot be overlooked when discussing their long-lasting friendship.
