Eric Schmidt, the 70-year-old former Google CEO, has been accused by his 31-year-old ex-girlfriend, Michelle Ritter, of abuse, stalking, and what she described as “absolute digital surveillance.” According to court filings obtained by The New York Post, Ritter alleged that Schmidt used his influence, wealth, and technical expertise to monitor her private communications and control her access to finances and property.The former couple’s relationship reportedly began in 2020, when Ritter was a student at Columbia University. The pair are now locked in a legal dispute involving multimillion-dollar settlements, a failed AI startup, and allegations of psychological control. Ritter claims Schmidt employed private investigators, coerced her into silence, and locked her out of shared business accounts and homes.
Eric Schmidt’s alleged ‘system of control’ detailed in court filings
Court filings reveal that Ritter and Schmidt maintained both romantic and business ties through Steel Perlot, an AI-focused venture into which Schmidt invested roughly $100 million. Ritter accuses Schmidt of using his power to impose “a system of total control” and claims he tracked her movements digitally. Schmidt, who remains married to philanthropist Wendy Schmidt, has denied the allegations through his attorneys, describing them as “demonstrably false” and “a misuse of the judicial process.” Most filings remain sealed ahead of a December 2025 court hearing.In her filings, Ritter alleges that Schmidt pressured her to sign false declarations denying any misconduct while cutting off her access to shared assets and residences in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. She further claimed her parents were followed by private investigators tied to Schmidt’s security detail. Despite withdrawing a previous restraining order after an apparent settlement, Ritter says Schmidt failed to fulfil his obligations and continues to pursue her through arbitration — a move she characterises as an attempt to “suppress exposure of his misconduct and abuse.”
A billionaire’s private life under scrutiny
This is not the first time Schmidt’s personal life has drawn public attention. Reports from Forbes and The Information have detailed turmoil within Steel Perlot, describing it as a chaotic venture entangled with personal and professional conflicts. Schmidt, whose net worth is estimated at $44.8 billion, has long been known for maintaining an open marriage and relationships with younger women. As the latest legal battle unfolds, the case reignites debate about privacy, power, and accountability in Silicon Valley’s elite circles — where technology, money, and influence can easily blur personal boundaries.
