In a surprising turn of events, billionaire Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, has reportedly invested a staggering $100 million in a startup incubator called Steel Perlot. What makes this investment particularly intriguing is that the 68-year-old Schmidt is said to be romantically linked with the 29-year-old CEO of the company, Michelle Ritter.

According to Yahoo News, Schmidt's investment in Steel Perlot, a company focused on nurturing and supporting emerging businesses, was revealed by Forbes. Despite being married for over four decades, Schmidt seems to have taken a keen interest in Ritter's venture, aligning himself as the chairman of the company.

Although the status of Schmidt and Ritter's relationship remains undisclosed, Ritter did mention that they have a typical CEO-chairman dynamic. The two declined to comment on their personal connection, leaving many curious about the nature of their relationship.

The article further reveals that Steel Perlot is backed by a diverse range of investors, including institutional investors and affluent individuals. However, Ritter has refrained from divulging the specific names of these backers. The company currently manages a significant portfolio worth $450 million, although Ritter clarified that they only have a preliminary letter of intent from institutional investors.

Pitchbook, a reliable source for investment data, discloses that Steel Perlot has already invested at least $20 million in companies operating in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), cryptocurrency, and payment processing.

Interestingly, Forbes' report highlights a financial hitch that Steel Perlot encountered earlier this year. In January, the company purportedly reached out to Hillspire LLC, Schmidt's family office, requesting a substantial sum of $2.5 million to cover payroll expenses and credit card debts.

Eric Schmidt, who shares two daughters with his wife Wendy, has faced previous rumors surrounding his romantic life, though he has never confirmed any of them.

Despite efforts by various media outlets, including Insider, to obtain comments from Schmidt, Ritter, Steel Perlot, Schmidt Futures, and The Schmidt Family Foundation, no response has been received at the time of publication.

As this story continues to unfold, many are left wondering about the future of Steel Perlot, Schmidt's involvement in the company, and the true nature of his relationship with Ritter. Only time will tell how this intriguing business and personal endeavor will evolve.

(Note: This article is based on the provided information and focuses solely on the entities, numbers, and dates mentioned within the source material.)