Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, aged 70, has been accused by his 31-year-old ex-partner, Michelle Ritter, of stalking, abuse, and displaying “toxic masculinity,” as per court documents filed by her last year. Ritter also claimed that Schmidt subjected her to intense digital surveillance. The conflict arose during financial disputes and the failure of an artificial intelligence startup.
Ritter, who had an intermittent relationship with Schmidt while he was still married to his wife Wendy, sought a temporary restraining order against the billionaire towards the end of last year. She alleged that Schmidt used his authority, influence, and technology to monitor her communications and limit her access to financial resources.
In her filing, Ritter emphasized Schmidt’s technical expertise, stating that she felt under constant surveillance and lacked privacy in her communications. A settlement was reportedly reached in early December, where Schmidt agreed to make significant payments to Ritter, although the specifics of the agreement remain undisclosed.
Following this, Ritter filed a restraining order for domestic violence but withdrew it three weeks later, indicating a potential resolution between both parties. She accused Schmidt of denying her access to her AI startup’s website, Steel Perlot, which had received a $100 million investment from Schmidt. Additionally, Ritter alleged that Schmidt insisted she sign a non-disclosure agreement regarding any allegations of sexual misconduct and issue a false statement disavowing such incidents.
Schmidt’s legal team, led by attorney Patricia Glaser, refuted Ritter’s claims in an 82-page legal response filed in October, labeling them as baseless. They have requested to seal a significant portion of the court documents, with a hearing scheduled for December.
Court records reveal that Ritter was residing at Schmidt’s 15,000-square-foot mansion in Bel Air, acquired for $61 million from the Hilton family. She requested exclusive access to the property and protection for her dog, Henry, a German Shepherd.
As reported by The Information, Ritter was still residing at the Bel Air estate in August 2024. The opulent 13-bedroom mansion, reflecting classic Hollywood design, featured Ritter’s personal touches, such as a distinctive red lip-shaped sofa, a display case for guitars, and a rainbow-hued “Love” sign associated with their visit to Burning Man.
A final hearing is anticipated in December at the Los Angeles County Superior Court to address the ongoing legal dispute.