Gaga and Polansky made their relationship Instagram official after spending Super Bowl weekend together in February 2020. The singer shared a photo of the two on a boat in Miami with the caption, “We had so much fun in Miami. Love to all my little monsters and fans, you’re the best! ❤️.”
Polansky was also seen at the pre-game and promotional events throughout the weekend to support Gaga, who was performing at the AT&T TV Super Saturday Night show.
“They weren’t shy about showing off PDA,” a source told PEOPLE about the weekend. “They seemed very happy together.”
He’s a Harvard graduate and an entrepreneur
According to his LinkedIn profile, Polansky attended Harvard University between 2002 and 2006. He graduated with a degree in applied mathematics and computer science.
Polansky is currently a businessman and entrepreneur who holds several roles among nonprofits and companies. Most notably, he helped create the Parker Foundation in 2015 alongside Sean Parker, co-founder of Facebook and Napster, where he has served as the executive director for over a decade. The philanthropic organization aims to create positive changes in global public health, life sciences and civic engagement.
He and Gaga have a shared passion for charitable work
In addition to his work, Polansky is also a board member of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, which funds research for cancer treatments. A source told PEOPLE that he and Gaga first bonded over their “focus” on charity, as Gaga is very passionate about supporting the mental health and wellness of young people through her Born This Way Foundation.
The couple has also worked together to benefit and fundraise for various charitable causes including the One World: Together at Home concert, which Gaga organized.
In an interview with MSNBC’s Morning Joe, the singer also mentioned that Polansky is developing an app for her foundation.
“With Born This Way Foundation, my mother, Cynthia Germanotta, and our co-founder Maya [Enista Smith], who I love so very much — they are working with my, the love of my life on something for mental health,” Gaga shared.
A source later told PEOPLE, “They are both hard-working and love working together on charity projects […] They have not been sitting around during the lockdown and instead focused on where they can do good. They want to help out where they can.”
He previously dated a New York Times editor, who wrote an op-ed about him and Gaga
Prior to dating one of the world’s biggest pop stars, Polanksy datedLindsay Crouse, aNew York Times senior staff editor. Crouse wrote an op-ed for the publication about how she first discovered that her ex was dating the megastar.
Crouse and Polansky dated for seven years before calling it quits a few years after college. They seemed to end things on neutral terms, however, he did delete her from Facebook following their breakup.
“Lady Gaga is amazing,” she wrote of her former flame’s new girlfriend. “Comparing yourself with her is incredibly motivational, and I recommend you try it, regardless of how you relate to who’s dating her.”
Fans think he’s the inspiration behind “Stupid Love”
On March 5, 2020, Gaga posted a selfie with her Polansky, and the caption made fans speculate whether her single “Stupid Love” was inspired by the entrepreneur. “I’ve got a STUPID love💕,” she captioned the post just a week after the single dropped, which is all about finding a lover after a long and exhaustive search.
Prior to dating Polansky, Gaga was engaged to her talent manager, Christian Carino, before the pair called it quits in February 2019. She was also previously engaged to actor Taylor Kinney, whom on the set of her “Yoü and I” music video in 2011. Gaga announced that the couple had ended their engagement in June 2016.
He supports Gaga through the good and the bad
In January 2021, Lady Gaga performed at President Joe Biden’s inauguration, and Polansky was right by her side. The couple were even spotted giving each other a kiss with their masks on at the event.
“Gaga had a blast at the Inauguration and was in the best spirits,” a source told PEOPLE. “She’s very happy with Michael and feels grateful for his support.”
While Gaga was in Italy filming her movie House of Gucci, her dog walker was shot and her two French bulldogs were stolen during a robbery in Los Angeles. Eventually, the dogs were returned to the actress.
“She had just arrived in Italy to film right before her dogs were stolen, and she was clearly upset for several days,” an insider told PEOPLE. “She would get updates from Michael. He would send her videos of the dogs after he got them back.”
The insider added: “It was all very special, and you could tell he means the world to her.”
In October 2023, Gaga made a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live. Polansky joined her at the official cast afterparty following the show. The couple lovingly held hands as they made their way inside L’Avenue in New York City.
Gaga gave him a shout-out during a Las Vegas performance
In July 2024, during one of her final Jazz & Piano concerts at Park MGM in Las Vegas, Gaga gave Polansky a sweet shout-out while on stage. She dedicated the show to “my mister.”
He and Gaga are engaged
Gaga confirmed her and Polansky’s engagement in July 2024. While talking to French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal at the Paris Olympics, she introduced the tech entrepreneur as her “fiancé.”
At the Venice Film Festival two months later, Gaga flashed her engagement ring at photographers as she arrived at the event with Polansky. The ring on Gaga’s finger appeared to be large oval diamond with a pavé diamond band.
He and Gaga made their red carpet debut at the 2024 Venice Film Festival
Gaga didn’t just show off her engagement ring in Venice — the film festival is also where she and Polansky made their red carpet debut for the premiere of her movie, Joker: Folie à Deux. The couple were joined by director Todd Phillips and Gaga’s costar Joaquin Phoenix.
At the Sept. 4 event, Gaga wore a black gown with a dramatic Philip Treacy lace headpiece, while Polansky wore a black tuxedo.
Source: People
