Lady Gaga and Michael Polansky attend the premiere of "Joker: Folie à Deux."Stefanie Rex/picture alliance via Getty Images
Lady Gaga has been dating Michael Polansky, investor and CEO of the Parker Group, since 2019.
They isolated together during the pandemic and attended President Biden's inauguration in 2021.
The couple got engaged in April 2024, though Gaga didn't confirm the news until September.
Lady Gaga recently declared, "The missing piece in my life was having real love."The movie-slash-pop-star was referring to her fiancé and partner of five years, investor and entrepreneur Michael Polansky.The duo was first seen showing PDA on New Year's Eve in 2019. When the video appeared on Twitter, Gaga's fans scrambled to identify Polansky, CEO of the Parker Group, and learn more information about the star's new beau. The couple, who were introduced by Gaga's mother, have been together ever since.These days, when Gaga performs at major events — from President Joe Biden's inauguration to the Paris Olympics — Polansky is often waiting in the wings. Here's everything we know about their relationship. Claudia Willen contributed to a previous version of this article.December 2019: Gaga and Polansky meet at Sean Parker's 40th birthday party.Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, attended a gala in 2019.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for National Board of ReviewIt's been widely reported that Gaga and Polansky were introduced by Sean Parker, the founder of Napster and cofounder of Facebook. (Polansky attended Harvard at the same time as Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's more famous cofounder. Polansky and Parker are longtime associates.)However, Gaga revealed they actually met through her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, who runs Gaga's mental health nonprofit. According to Vogue, Germanotta and Polansky originally crossed paths by "philanthropic overlap.""My mom met him and she said to me, 'I think I just met your husband,' and I said, 'I'm not ready to meet my husband!'" Gaga told the magazine. "I could never have imagined that my mom…found the most perfect person for me?"In December 2019, Parker celebrated his 40th birthday in Los Angeles with a star-studded bash and performance from Stevie Nicks. Gaga was invited — and her mom said Polansky would be there, too."So I went to the party and I kept asking for him and he finally came over to me and we talked for three hours. We had the most amazing conversation," Gaga told Vogue."I didn't know much about her and honestly wasn't sure what to expect," Polansky added. "I was struck immediately by her warmth and openness — she was so genuinely curious about what my life was like growing up in Minnesota."December 31, 2019: Gaga and Polansky are seen together for the first time on New Year's Eve.Gaga in a selfie shared on December 19, 2019.Lady Gaga/InstagramGaga and Polansky welcomed the new year with a midnight kiss while attending a party in Las Vegas, as seen in a video shared on X (then Twitter) by Las Vegas Review columnist John Katsilometes. Fans waited outside the building in the hopes of snagging a glimpse of the singer. They eventually saw Gaga exiting the building with Polansky, who was holding her hand the entire time.At this point, people weren't sure who the businessman was, and the relationship was shrouded in mystery. Many outlets referred to Polansky as Gaga's "mystery man."January 31, 2020: They are spotted cuddling on a balcony in Miami.Gaga shared this photo with Polansky on Instagram in February 2020.Lady Gaga/InstagramGaga was in Miami to perform at the AT&T TV Super Saturday Night show. In her downtime, the singer lounged on a balcony with Polansky, where they were spotted kissing. After photos of the couple surfaced online, Us Weekly identified Gaga's new love interest as Polansky.A source told E! News that Gaga "has been dating the same guy for over a month. They've been seeing other since before the holidays and she's crazy about him."The source also confirmed that Polansky spent New Year's Eve with the singer as "they had already been seeing each other for weeks" at that point. February 2, 2020: Polansky and Gaga attend the Super Bowl together.The Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl in 2020.REUTERS/Marco BelloThe day after Gaga performed at the AT&T TV Super Saturday Night show, she and Polansky watched the Super Bowl together from a box at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.In a video shared online by comedian Jeff Ross, Gaga clapped along to Jennifer Lopez and Shakira's halftime performance with Polansky by her side. February 3, 2020: Gaga shares an Instagram photo of herself cuddled up with Polansky.Polansky and Gaga in Miami.Lady Gaga/InstagramAfter paparazzi photos and fan videos surfaced from the couple's time in Florida, Gaga shared her own memory from the trip on Instagram. In the photo, she's sitting on Polansky's lap with his arms wrapped around her."We had so much fun in Miami. Love to all my little monsters and fans, you're the best!" she captioned the photo. February 15, 2020: They spend Valentine's Day together.Polansky and Gaga spent Valentine's Day together in 2020.Lady Gaga/InstagramGaga shared a close-up selfie of herself with Polansky on Instagram the day after the holiday."Happy Valentine's Day!! 'Babe, do I have lipstick all-over me?'" Gaga wrote in the caption, adding a crying-while-laughing emoji. "Happy v-day to all my monsters!!! I love you!!!"March 18, 2020: A source says their relationship is "getting serious.""I've got a STUPID love," Gaga captioned this photo with Polansky.Lady Gaga/InstagramAfter Gaga's split from talent agent Christian Carino in February 2019, the singer reportedly wanted to take things slow, a source told Entertainment Tonight. And while her intention was to keep things light with Polansky, they were "getting serious," according to the source. "Gaga is really getting serious with her boyfriend and the chemistry is undeniable. At first she wanted to keep it low key and quiet because she had just gotten out of a relationship and thought taking it slow would be good, but they had an immediate connection, so it was tough to keep under wraps. They were spending so much time together, she finally decided to post on Instagram to make it official," the source said.They added that she "wasn't expecting to get so involved so quickly" but "started telling her friends she was completely in love with him.""Anyone that has spent any time with them can see the connection. They are completely smitten. Her friends haven't seen her this happy in years," the source said, adding, "It didn't take long for her friends to adore him too."While both the businessman and the musician both have packed calendars, the source explained that they're "supportive" of each other's schedules."He can often work remotely so even travels with her," the source said. March 18, 2020: Gaga says that the couple is isolating together during the pandemic.Gaga and Polansky in a selfie shared on March 18, 2020.Lady Gaga/InstagramShortly after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency due to COVID-19, Gaga shared a selfie of herself with Polansky on Instagram."Day 6 of self-quarantining!" she wrote in her caption. "Going strong, playing video games and cards, and taking care of ourselves."Gaga also encouraged her fans to stay home to help prevent the spread of the virus. "Important reminder: keep your mind as stress free as possible and your body moving," she wrote. "It's ok and so wonderful to stay home if you can! What a kind act for the world."A source told Entertainment Tonight that Gaga and Polansky thought self-isolating together was "the right thing to do.""It's given them time to spend together and focus on one another without work or any other distractions," the source said. Years later, Polansky said they spent the time "taking walks, making coffee, hanging out with the dogs, reading books together." He described it as an "amazing chapter of a weird kind of normalcy."March 28, 2020: A source says that they're "opposites" but that Gaga is "really into him."Gaga shared this photo with Polansky on Instagram in March 2020.Lady Gaga/Instagram"She's really into him!" a source told E! News, adding that they "are opposites of each other, which all-around is a good thing for her."The source also said that the businessman "cares a lot about Gaga." April 17, 2020: Gaga refers to Polansky as "the love of my life" during an interview.Lady Gaga spoke about mental health during the pandemic on "Morning Joe."MSNBCOn an episode of MSNBC's "Morning Joe," Gaga spoke about prioritizing mental health during the pandemic with hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough. During the interview, she nonchalantly referred to Polansky as "the love of my life.""With Born This Way Foundation, my mother, Cynthia Germanotta, and our cofounder Maya, who I love so very much, they are working with my, the love of my life, on something for mental health," Gaga said.April 18, 2020: Polansky helps Gaga fundraise for the World Health Organization's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.Bo O'Connor, Lady Gaga, and Michael Polansky in a photo shared on Instagram.Lady Gaga/InstagramGaga raised $35 million in seven days for the WHO's global coronavirus response fund by calling philanthropists and corporate leaders. In an Instagram post, Gaga revealed that Polansky helped her fundraising efforts. "With some of my co-fundraisers @booconnor @michaelpolansky#oneworld #togetherathome," she wrote on Instagram. Gaga tagged Polansky's Instagram account, which is private. January 20, 2021: They attend President Joe Biden's inauguration together.Lady Gaga and Michael Polansky at the inauguration.BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / Getty ImagesAs The New York Times reported, Gaga had long-standing ties to Biden before she endorsed him for president in 2020. After he was elected, she accepted an invitation to perform at his inauguration in Washington, DC.Many viewers were so captivated by Gaga's powerful rendition of the National Anthem (not to mention her over-the-top Schiaparelli Haute Couture gown) that they may have missed Polansky, who was also present at the historic event.The businessman attended to support Gaga, and photographers even captured a photo of the couple kissing with their masks on. Gaga later shared the image on her Instagram, adding a dove emoji in the caption.2022: Polansky joins Gaga on the road for the Chromatica Ball tour.Lady Gaga performs during the Chromatica Ball in Los Angeles.Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for Live NationAfter pandemic restrictions had lifted, Gaga went on a two-month global tour to promote her 2020 album "Chromatica."The Chromatica Ball kicked off in Germany on July 17, 2022, and wrapped up in Miami on September 17, 2022. We later learned that Polansky joined Gaga on the road."Michael and I did that tour together," Gaga told Vogue. "I did it pain-free! I haven't smoked pot in years. I've, like, changed.""On the 'Chromatica' tour, I saw a fire in her," Polansky added. "I wanted to help her keep that alive all the time and just start making music that made her happy."April 2024: Gaga and Polansky quietly get engaged after a day of rock climbing.Gaga shared this selfie on March 28, 2024.Lady Gaga/InstagramGaga confirmed her engagement to Polansky in her October 2024 cover story for Vogue.According to interviewer Jonathan Van Meter, the couple officially got engaged a few months earlier, in April, after a low-key day spent rock climbing.Just a few weeks earlier, on her 38th birthday, Gaga had shared a selfie on Instagram that included a sweet shoutout to Polansky in the caption."Today has been so special — I can't remember a time I was so happy on my bday. I am in love with my best friend, my family and friends are loving and kind and healthy," she wrote.July 2024: Gaga calls Polansky her fiancé at the Paris Olympics.Gaga and Polansky at the 2024 Paris Olympics.Arturo Holmes/Getty ImagesGaga performed at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on the bank of the River Seine. She sang a French circus tune, "Mon Truc en Plumes," in a cabaret-inspired routine.After the ceremony, Gaga and Polansky met with French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who shared a clip of their brief interaction on TikTok.In the short video, Gaga introduces Polansky as "my fiancé" while Attal shakes his hand.September 4, 2024: They make their red carpet debut at the "Joker: Folie à Deux" premiere.Polansky and Gaga on the "Joker: Folie à Deux" red carpet.Daniele Venturelli/WireImagePolansky accompanied Gaga to the Venice International Film Festival premiere of "Joker: Folie à Deux," in which Gaga costars as Lee, an unhinged fan of Joker who becomes Harley Quinn.The couple walked the red carpet together holding hands.September 2024: Gaga opens up about their relationship in a wide-ranging interview.Gaga and Polansky at the 81st Venice International Film Festival.Jacopo Raule/FilmMagicThe aforementioned Vogue cover story included details about Gaga's relationship with Polansky that were previously unknown to the public.Gaga told the magazine that she and Polansky fell in love after just one date. When the pandemic hit and social-distancing guidelines were introduced, Polansky moved from San Franciso to Malibu in order to be with her."It was really kind of special," Gaga said. "I'd been so focused on my career since I was a teenager. And the gift of that time was that I got to completely focus on my relationship. I met this totally supportive, loving human being who wanted to get to know me — outside of Lady Gaga."Gaga gushed about Polansky throughout the interview, describing him as "so smart and so kind," as well as protective of their personal life."He's a very private guy and he's not with me for any other reason than that we are right for each other," she said. But I think what I want my fans to know is that I'm just, like, so happy."Read the original article on Business Insider
