You know that frustrating feeling when you’re trying to find real info about a celebrity’s partner online? Rumors everywhere. Conflicting dates. Nothing solid.
Here’s what you actually came for: Michael Polansky was born on September 26, 1983, which makes him 42 years old as of 2025. He’s the Harvard-educated tech entrepreneur who’s engaged to Lady Gaga, and he’s become one of the most talked-about figures in pop culture this year.
In this post, I’m going to share everything you need to know about Michael Polansky age, his impressive career journey from Harvard to Silicon Valley, and why his relationship with Lady Gaga has captured so much attention. Whether you’re a Little Monster keeping tabs on Gaga’s love life or you’re just curious about the man behind the headlines, you’re in the right place.
Key Takeaways
- Michael Polansky was born on September 26, 1983, making him 42 years old in 2025.
- He studied applied mathematics and computer science at Harvard University, graduating in 2006.
- Lady Gaga confirmed their engagement at the Paris Olympics in July 2024 after Polansky proposed on April Fools’ Day.
- Polansky co-founded the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy in 2016, which received an additional $125 million investment in July 2024.
- His estimated net worth is approximately $600 million as of 2025, primarily from his work with the Parker Group and tech investments.
- He co-wrote seven songs on Lady Gaga’s 2025 album Mayhem and co-produced her Mayhem Ball world tour.
Michael Polansky Age and Birthday
Let me clear up the confusion right away. Michael Polansky celebrates his birthday on September 26, and he was born in 1983 in Minnesota. That means he turned 42 in September 2025.
Why His Birthday Matters to Fans in 2025
Lady Gaga celebrated his birthday in September 2025 with a heartfelt tribute on social media, calling his birthday her “favorite day of the year.” She shared sweet photos of them together, showing just how much their partnership means to her.
The timing was special this year. Just weeks before his birthday, Gaga won four MTV Video Music Awards in September 2025 and gave him an emotional shoutout on stage, calling him “the man I love” and her “partner in all things.
Here’s something interesting: Polansky is about three and a half years older than Lady Gaga, who was born on March 28, 1986. The age difference has never been a topic they’ve focused on. Instead, they talk about how they balance their very different worlds: her superstar life in the spotlight and his preference for staying behind the scenes.
According to a March 2025 interview with Good Morning America, Gaga revealed she was direct about wanting “marriage and kids more than anything” when they first met in 2019.
Early Life and Education
Michael grew up in Minnesota as the son of Steven Polansky, an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in The New Yorker and Harper’s, and Ellen Woods, who serves as president of the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education.
His academic journey led him to Harvard University, where he enrolled in 2002 and graduated in 2006 with a degree in applied mathematics and computer science. That Harvard background opened doors for him in Silicon Valley and beyond.
After graduation, he started as an Investment Associate at Bridgewater Associates in September 2006, where he worked until 2009. That early experience in high-level finance and strategy set the foundation for everything that came next.
Lady Gaga’s Tribute to Michael Polansky
Gaga doesn’t hold back when it comes to showing her love for Michael. Her public messages paint a picture of a relationship built on genuine friendship and creative partnership.
September 2025: Her Most Personal Message Yet
In September 2025, right after winning Artist of the Year at the MTV VMAs, Gaga posted what might be her most emotional tribute to Michael yet. On Instagram, she wrote about how he works with her “from dawn till dusk every day” on music, performances, and plans.
She called him “a true renaissance man” and praised his creative partnership in their art, business, and love. She ended with: “You are MY artist of the year. And the love of my life.”
How the Pop Star Marks Special Moments
Throughout 2024 and 2025, Gaga has celebrated Michael in ways both big and small:
- She dedicated her Jazz & Piano concert to “my mister” in Las Vegas in July 2024.
- At the FireAid Benefit Concert in January 2025, she performed a new song she co-wrote with him.
- She brought him as her date to the Grammy Awards in February 2025, proudly walking the red carpet together.
- At the Los Angeles premiere of Joker: Folie à Deux, she revealed that Michael worked as a co-executive producer on the film.
According to a March 2025 interview with The New York Times, Gaga got emotional when describing how Michael wanted to know about her family from the moment they met. She said his genuine interest in her life beyond “Lady Gaga” was what made her realize he was different from anyone else.
In her February 2025 ELLE cover story, Gaga shared that in the “not-too-distant” future, she imagines her life as “me and Michael and our kids.”
Michael Polansky’s Achievements at 42
At 42, Michael has built an impressive resume that goes way beyond being Lady Gaga’s fiancé. He’s a serious player in tech, philanthropy, and cancer research.
Career Milestones That Define His Success
From 2009 to 2023, Polansky served as CEO of the Sean Parker Family Office, managing the business interests of Sean Parker, the co-founder of Napster and Facebook. In January 2024, he transitioned to the role of Special Advisor, giving him more flexibility to pursue other ventures.
He worked as a Principal at Founders Fund from March 2010 to January 2012, gaining experience in venture capital at one of Silicon Valley’s most prestigious firms. That role connected him to cutting-edge tech investments and innovative startups.
In 2015, he co-founded The Parker Foundation with Sean Parker, creating a philanthropic vehicle focused on global public health, life sciences, and civic engagement. The foundation has directed millions toward transformative projects.
Leading Cancer Research Efforts
His most impactful work might be with the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, which he co-founded in April 2016. The institute was established with a $250 million grant from the Parker Foundation and brings together more than 300 of the country’s leading immunologists across top cancer research centers.
In July 2024, the Parker Institute announced an additional $125 million investment, the largest funding commitment since its founding. This money will support groundbreaking research over the next five years, aiming to turn cancer into a curable disease through immune system-based treatments.
Polansky serves on the institute’s executive committee and remains a board member as of 2025. The organization has already invested in 17 biotech startup companies to support next-generation cancer immunotherapies.
Other Business Ventures and Board Positions
Michael’s entrepreneurial spirit shows in the variety of companies he’s launched:
| Company | Role | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Outer Biosciences | CEO (since March 2022) | Biotechnology and life sciences |
| ArsenalBio | Co-founder (since January 2019) | Cell therapy innovation |
| Avos Capital Management | Co-founder | Investment and venture capital |
| Hawktail | Co-founder | Strategic investments |
| Haus Labs by Lady Gaga | Board Member (since August 2024) | Vegan cosmetics brand |
His decision to join the Haus Labs board in August 2024 shows his support for Gaga’s business ventures. The cruelty-free cosmetics brand launched in 2019 and has become a meaningful part of her empire.
Philanthropic Contributions and Social Impact
Michael helped develop an app for the Born This Way Foundation, Lady Gaga’s nonprofit focused on youth mental health. The foundation, which Gaga co-founded with her mother in 2012, uses the app to provide mental health resources to young people.
He also supported global charity efforts, including the One World: Together at Home concert during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to multiple sources, he was instrumental in organizing fundraising projects that raised millions for frontline workers.
In May 2013, he co-founded the Economic Innovation Group, where he continues to serve as a board member. The organization focuses on economic policy reform to create opportunities in underserved communities across America.
Michael Polansky’s Net Worth
According to various reports from 2024 and 2025, Michael Polansky’s net worth is estimated at approximately $600 million. While these numbers aren’t officially confirmed, they come from his extensive work in tech investments, biotech ventures, and his leadership positions.
His wealth comes from multiple revenue streams: his role at the Parker Group, successful exits from biotech companies, returns from venture capital investments, and his work as CEO of Outer Biosciences. For context, Lady Gaga’s net worth is estimated at around $300 million, making them a true power couple in terms of financial success.
Creative Partnership With Lady Gaga
Beyond his business achievements, Michael has become an integral creative partner to Gaga. He has writing and production credits on seven songs from her 2025 studio album Mayhem, including “The Beast,” “Blade of Grass,” “Disease,” and “Vanish into You.”
He co-produced the Mayhem Ball, Gaga’s 2025-26 world tour, which kicked off on July 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. The tour was designed as a theatrical production divided into acts, bringing Polansky’s creative vision to life alongside Gaga’s artistry.
He also co-wrote the song “Blade of Grass,” which was inspired by his unique proposal. According to interviews, when Michael asked Gaga how he should propose, she suggested using a blade of grass instead of a traditional ring. He proposed on April Fools’ Day 2024 during a rock-climbing outing.
Their Relationship Timeline and Engagement
Gaga and Michael’s love story started behind the scenes in December 2019. They met at Sean Parker’s birthday party in Los Angeles, where Gaga’s mother, Cynthia Germanotta, introduced them. Gaga later told Vogue that her mom said, “I think I just met your husband” right after meeting Michael.
Going Public in 2020
The couple made their relationship Instagram official in February 2020 when Gaga posted a photo from Miami with the caption: “We had so much fun in Miami. Love to all my little monsters and fans, you’re the best!” They had been spotted kissing at a New Year’s Eve party in Las Vegas just weeks earlier.
During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, they quarantined together at Gaga’s Malibu home. In a joint interview with Vogue in October 2024, Polansky reflected on that time, saying: “We had this amazing chapter of a weird kind of normalcy that’s essential for any relationship to develop in a real way: taking walks, making coffee.”
Major Public Appearances Together
- January 2021: Michael attended President Joe Biden’s inauguration, where Gaga sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
- February 2024: They attended Super Bowl LVIII together in Las Vegas.
- April 2024: Engagement rumors sparked when Gaga was spotted wearing a large diamond ring.
- July 2024: Gaga confirmed their engagement at the Paris Olympics, introducing Michael as her “fiancé” to French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.
- September 2024: They made their red carpet debut at the Venice Film Festival for the premiere of Joker: Folie à Deux.
Gaga’s engagement ring is estimated to be worth between $1 million and $1.25 million, according to multiple jewelry experts who analyzed photos from her December 2024 appearance on Apple TV+’s A Carpool Karaoke Christmas special.
Takeaways
Turning 42 has been quite a year for Michael Polansky. He’s not just Lady Gaga’s fiancé. He’s a Harvard-educated entrepreneur who’s making a real difference in cancer research, managing a $600 million fortune, and co-creating music that millions of people love.
His relationship with Gaga keeps growing stronger, built on genuine friendship and shared creative passion. From his work at the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy to his role in producing her Mayhem album and tour, Michael proves you can be successful in business while staying true to what matters most.
At 42, he stands out for more than his net worth. He’s helping fund cancer breakthroughs, supporting youth mental health through the Born This Way Foundation, and showing up for the woman he loves in every way that counts. That’s the kind of partnership that makes people pay attention, and it’s why fans can’t wait to see what comes next for this power couple.
FAQs on Michael Polansky Age
1. How old is Michael Polansky, Lady Gaga’s fiancé?
Michael Polansky was born on September 26, 1983, turning 42 in 2025. Lady Gaga celebrates fiancé Michael Polansky’s birthday each year, often sharing sweet posts with her fans to mark the occasion.
2. When did Lady Gaga and Michael Polansky start dating?
Polansky and Gaga started dating in late 2019 after they were first seen kissing at a New Year’s Eve party in Las Vegas. The couple then made their relationship Instagram official in February 2020, shortly after attending the Super Bowl together in Miami.
3. What does Michael Polansky do for work?
He is a Harvard University graduate who studied applied mathematics and computer science. Polansky is the executive director of the Parker Foundation, which he co-founded with tech entrepreneur Sean Parker, and is also a board member for the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy.
4. How did Lady Gaga and Michael meet?
Gaga met Polansky at a birthday party for their mutual friend Sean Parker in Los Angeles.
5. When did Lady Gaga confirm her engagement to Michael Polansky?
After engagement rumors began in April 2024, Lady Gaga confirmed the news at the Paris Olympics in July 2024. In a conversation with the French Prime Minister, she casually referred to Polansky as “my fiancé,” making the announcement to the world.
6. What is Michael Polansky’s background and net worth?
Polansky is a San Francisco-based entrepreneur and a graduate of Harvard University. His net worth is estimated to be around $600 million from his role as CEO of the Parker Group and his work with various tech companies and philanthropic ventures.







