Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt Fuels Situationship Speculation with German Model at Davos
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has ignited a firestorm of online rumors regarding a potential "situationship" after photographs of him with a 27-year-old German model went viral on social media. The images, captured during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, from January 19-23, show Schmidt alongside Sophie Burkandt, sparking intense speculation about their relationship status.
Davos Sighting Raises Eyebrows
The tech billionaire, aged 70, was spotted with Burkandt, who is half his age, by the YouTube channel Rebel News. In the video, Schmidt can be seen avoiding questions while Burkandt walks alongside him. This public appearance has led to widespread curiosity, with many questioning whether Eric Schmidt is dating Sophie Burkandt.
According to a report by the German publication Bild, Schmidt and Burkandt have been spending considerable time together. Although they are not officially in a relationship, sources describe them as "close friends." This dynamic aligns with the modern dating trend of a "situationship," where individuals are more than friends but not in a committed partnership.
Backgrounds of the Individuals Involved
Eric Schmidt is a towering figure in the tech industry, with a fortune estimated at $37.3 billion in 2026. He served as CEO and chairman of Google from 2001 to 2015, later becoming Executive Chairman and technical advisor of Alphabet Inc. until 2020. Currently, he is the CEO and chair of Relativity Space and a founding partner at Innovation Endeavors. Schmidt holds a Bachelor of Science from Princeton University and advanced degrees from the University of California, Berkeley.
Sophie Burkandt is a model known from television and the daughter of Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder, leader of the conservative CSU party. She is also an author and patron of the Richard Wagner for Children project at the Bayreuth Festival. Burkandt studied economics, earning bachelor's and master's degrees, and is working on her doctorate. Recently, she shot a documentary for ProSieben, one of Germany's largest private television networks.
Open Marriage and Past Relationships
One of the most intriguing aspects of this situation is Schmidt's marital status. He has been married to Wendy Schmidt since 1980, marking 46 years together. The couple, who have two daughters—Sophie and Alison, with Alison passing away in 2017—often appear together publicly, such as at the LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles. Wendy Schmidt is president of the Schmidt Family Foundation and co-founded the Schmidt Ocean Institute.
However, numerous American media reports indicate that the Schmidts have been in an 'open marriage' for years. An insider told The New York Post, "It’s been known for years that the Schmidts have this ‘arrangement.’ Eric Schmidt regularly appears with younger women, but this has nothing to do with real romance or partnership."
This is not Schmidt's first romantic involvement outside his marriage. He was in a relationship with American entrepreneur Michelle Ritter from 2020 to 2024, even investing $100 million in her AI startup. In October 2025, Ritter filed a lawsuit against Schmidt, accusing him of abuse, stalking, and digital surveillance—allegations he denied as "demonstrably false."
On Burkandt's side, she was last romantically linked to businessman Florian Moerth, with the two spotted together at Oktoberfest in 2022.
Future Meetings and Speculation
Schmidt and Burkandt reportedly met at Harvard University in November 2025 and are expected to meet again at the Munich Security Conference from February 13-15, 2026. While they have not made their relationship official, their public sightings suggest a discreet romance that blends power and potential future collaborations.
The buzz around this situationship highlights how public figures' personal lives can captivate social media, especially when intertwined with elements of wealth, politics, and modern dating norms. As Schmidt and Burkandt continue to be seen together, the speculation is likely to persist, adding another layer to Schmidt's already complex public persona.
