Crime House Daily – Night Watch

Episode Overview

Episode Title: Night Watch: From Power Couple to Legal Battle: Tech Billionaire Eric Schmidt
Host: Katie Ring
Date: November 25, 2025

Tonight's Night Watch delves into the explosive legal and personal fallout between former Google CEO and tech billionaire, Eric Schmidt, and young entrepreneur Michelle Ritter. What began as a high-powered romance and business partnership has devolved into a dramatic, high-stakes legal conflict, rife with accusations of abuse, business betrayal, and a battle for reputation and assets. Host Katie Ring meticulously unpacks the timeline, personalities, and stakes at play as both parties head toward a pivotal court showdown, all with the backdrop of Silicon Valley wealth, ambition, and scandal.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Relationship: Beginnings and Business Entanglements

• Introduction to Relationship (03:03–04:00)
  • Eric Schmidt, in 2020, began a romantic and business relationship with Michelle Ritter, a 26-year-old Columbia JD/MBA student and startup founder.
  • Michelle Ritter's credentials: Johns Hopkins grad, Stanford Hoover Institution, Department of Homeland Security, founder of tech startups.
• Going Public (04:00–06:00)
  • The couple’s first public outing as partners: July 11, 2021, at Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic launch.
  • Their joint startup accelerator, Steel Perlo, launched in September 2021, with Michelle as CEO and Eric as executive chairman and main financial backer.
  • “[Eric and Michelle's] personal and professional lives were completely intertwined. So when the relationship fell apart, their breakup wasn't as simple as going their separate ways.” — Katie Ring [03:47]

2. Eric Schmidt’s Marital Arrangements and Track Record

• Eric’s Personal Life in Focus (08:10–10:00)
  • Longstanding open marriage with wife Wendy Boyle; known for dating much younger, high-achieving women.
  • Wendy's independent accomplishments: president of the Schmidt Family Foundation, competitive sailor, and philanthropist.
  • “Eric seemed to have a penchant for high achieving women… But Wendy was and would always be his rock.” — Katie [09:58]
• Public Scrutiny and Boundaries (10:00–12:10)
  • Eric’s careful distinction between his wife (for public, formal events) and girlfriends (for parties, nightlife).

3. Business Complexity and Infighting

• Steel Perlo’s Operations and Financial Blurring (12:11–15:30)
  • Steel Perlo’s initial promise and high cash burn; company quickly facing payroll struggles despite Eric’s $100M investment.
  • Lines between Eric’s business empire and Steel Perlo become hazy—side entities (Autumn Management) managed by Michelle’s father pay some staff.
  • Question over who was really in control and whether business failures were being covered up.
  • Michelle claimed big-name investor interest (Bezos, Bloomberg, Middle Eastern funds) that didn’t materialize beyond letters of intent.
  • Tensions escalating internally; public speculation increases with a Forbes investigation in October 2023.

4. Breakdown and Escalation

• From Legal Mediation to All-Out War (15:30–19:05)

  • Relationship frays; mediation fails in spring 2024.
  • Bombshell: Eric’s legal team demands Michelle agree never to make abuse allegations as part of settlement — refused by her legal team.
  • Michelle is locked out of residences and business accounts; Eric begins distancing publicly, seen at events with Wendy.

• Quotable Moment:

  • “Eric's lawyer said that they would refuse to settle unless Michelle promised that she wouldn't make any allegations of abuse or harassment. And Michelle's lawyers refused, which sparked immediate retaliation from Eric.” — Katie [19:05]

5. Restraining Order, Retaliation, and Legal Stalemate

• Allegations and Counter-Allegations (19:05–22:10)

  • Michelle files and later withdraws a domestic violence restraining order, claiming stalking, monitoring, isolating, and digital pressure by Eric, as well as attempts to silence her about alleged abuse.
  • After brief détente and settlement, new conflict surfaces—Michelle claims Eric doesn’t honor settlement, and she’s locked out of the Steel Perlo website.
  • December 2024: incident with private investigators following Michelle’s parents escalates tension.
  • Fresh lawsuits in late 2025: Michelle refiles abuse claims, represents herself; Eric sues for $75,000 in legal costs and files court documents calling her accusations “obviously false and an abuse of the judicial system.”
    • “She said that she can't afford to pay it, but that it was also Eric's way of trying to silence her through financial domination.” — Katie [21:44]

• Current Status & What’s Next (22:10–End)

  • No resolution yet; much of the legal record remains sealed.
  • Next court hearing scheduled for December 4, 2025.
  • Eric’s marriage to Wendy appears intact; the two recently seen together after meeting with Saudi royalty.
  • “Judging on what we know so far, the fireworks won't be ending anytime soon.” — Katie [22:47]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Wealth and Vulnerability:
  • “Imagine being worth $44 billion and still checking your ex's Instagram stories.” — Unnamed panelist [01:33]
• On Sexism in Coverage:
  • “By the way, I hate when people say women sleep their way to the top, because let's be realistic, if this was true, women would be ruling the world.” — Katie [03:21]
• Host’s Perspective:
  • “Their alleged open relationship, what would be a fragile situation for many, seemed relatively drama free for Eric and Wendy.” — Katie [10:30]
• On Scandal Potential:
  • "Some people have even given Eric a salacious nickname. They call him Silicon Valley's most eligible married Bachelor." — Katie [07:41]
• On Legal Breakdown:
  • “Michelle claimed that Eric was using his resources, connections and digital access to monitor, isolate and pressure her.” — Katie [20:11]
• On the Ever-Unfolding Story:
  • “The pursuit of justice never stops.” — Katie [Ending]

Important Timestamps

• [03:03–07:46]
  Rise of the Schmidt–Ritter relationship and their joint business ventures.
• [08:10–12:10]
  Inside Eric’s personal life and marital arrangements; lavish lifestyle details.
• [12:11–15:30]
  Business turbulence, financial maneuvering, and growing internal conflicts at Steel Perlo.
• [19:05–22:10]
  Legal escalation: settlements, allegations of abuse, restraining order, lawsuits.
• [22:10–End]
  Current status; what remains unresolved; what to watch for next.

Conclusion & Tone

Katie Ring delivers the episode with a slightly sardonic edge, but grounds the coverage in facts and a detailed timeline, repeatedly emphasizing the overlapping personal and professional dynamics as key to understanding the high drama. She makes it clear how unique and combustible Eric and Michelle’s entanglement is even for Silicon Valley. The episode’s tone is a blend of intrigue, skepticism, and a keen awareness of the societal dynamics (age gap, gendered double standards, media frenzy).

The episode leaves listeners up to date on the latest twists but with open questions about what the next court battle may reveal. Katie reminds listeners to stay tuned for updates, leaving off with the signature “the pursuit of justice never stops.”