Introduction
Alexander Gilkes is a British businessman, entrepreneur, investor, and former art auctioneer best known for co-founding Paddle8 and Squared Circles. His full name is Alexander Mark Heming Gilkes, and he has built a respected public profile through art, luxury, digital business, philanthropy, and science-backed consumer brands.
He is also widely recognized for his personal life with former tennis champion Maria Sharapova. The couple share a son, Theodore, while Gilkes was previously married to fashion designer Misha Nonoo. His career story is positive because it shows ambition and reinvention, but it also includes the challenge of building businesses in competitive markets.
Quick Bio
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Alexander Mark Heming Gilkes |
| Date of Birth | July 1979 |
| Age | 46 years old as of May 2026 |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | British businessman, entrepreneur, investor |
| Known For | Co-founding Paddle8 and Squared Circles |
| Education | Eton College |
| Partner | Maria Sharapova |
| Child | Son, Theodore |
| Former Spouse | Misha Nonoo |
| @gilkesa |
Alexander Gilkes Early Life
Alexander Gilkes was born in London, England, in July 1979. He grew up in an environment connected with education, culture, and society, which later helped shape his interest in luxury, art, auctions, and business.
He studied at Eton College, one of the United Kingdom’s best-known schools. His education gave him early exposure to influential circles, but his later success came from building his own career in art, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Alexander Gilkes Education
Alexander Gilkes attended Eton College, where he developed a strong foundation in communication, networking, and public presentation. These skills later became important in his auctioneering and business career.
His education also helped him understand the value of tradition and innovation together. This balance can be seen in his career, where he combined the traditional art-auction world with modern digital platforms such as Paddle8.
Start Of Career
Alexander Gilkes began his career in the luxury and art industries. He worked in roles connected with premium brands and auction houses before becoming a founder himself.
His early professional background helped him understand high-value clients, collectors, artists, and luxury markets. This experience became the base for his later work in online auctions and consumer-brand development.
Career Overview
Alexander Gilkes became widely known through Paddle8, an online auction platform focused on art, collectibles, photography, and design. Co-founding Paddle8 and Squared Circles became the most important achievement of his public business career.
Paddle8 helped bring the auction world into the digital age. Instead of depending only on traditional auction rooms, the company made art and collectibles more accessible online, especially for younger and international buyers.
Paddle8 Success
Paddle8 was founded in 2011 and became an important name in online art auctions. Alexander Gilkes served as a key figure in the company’s growth and public identity.
The platform became known for connecting technology with the art market. This was a powerful success because the art world had often been seen as traditional, private, and difficult for new collectors to enter.
Squared Circles
After Paddle8, Alexander Gilkes co-founded Squared Circles, a venture studio focused on building science-backed consumer brands. This marked a new stage in his career beyond art and auctions.
Squared Circles works in areas such as health, wellness, food, lifestyle, and consumer innovation. The company shows Gilkes’ ability to move from one industry to another while still using his experience in branding, investment, and business building.
Business Ventures And Companies
Alexander Gilkes is mainly connected with Paddle8 and Squared Circles. Paddle8 represents his role in digital art auctions, while Squared Circles represents his newer work in consumer-brand innovation.
Through these ventures, he has shown that a British businessman can build influence across different industries. His career is not limited to one field, which makes his profile attractive for readers interested in entrepreneurship, art, and modern business.
Source Of Income
Alexander Gilkes’ source of income comes from entrepreneurship, investment, art-auction work, business development, and consumer-brand ventures. His known public business activities are linked to Paddle8, Squared Circles, and investment-related work.
His exact salary is not publicly verified, so it should not be presented as fact. However, his professional income is clearly connected with business ownership, brand building, investment, and his long experience in luxury and art markets.
Personal Life
Alexander Gilkes is engaged to Maria Sharapova, the former tennis champion. Their relationship became public in 2018, and they announced their engagement in 2020.
The couple welcomed their son, Theodore, in 2022. They keep much of their family life private, which gives their public image a balanced mix of celebrity attention and personal privacy.
Misha Nonoo And Past Marriage
Before his relationship with Maria Sharapova, Alexander Gilkes was married to fashion designer Misha Nonoo. Their marriage connected him with the fashion and society world.
Misha Nonoo remains part of his public biography because she is a known fashion figure. However, Gilkes’ current public family life is mainly associated with Maria Sharapova and their son, Theodore.
Family Life
Alexander Gilkes has one publicly known child, his son Theodore, with Maria Sharapova. He has shared parts of fatherhood publicly, but the family generally protects Theodore’s privacy.
This careful approach makes his personal life more respectful and mature. It also shows that despite business success and public attention, family remains an important part of his life.
Social Media Presence
Alexander Gilkes uses Instagram under the handle @gilkesa. His social media presence reflects parts of his work, personal life, and interests.
He does not appear to use social media only for fame. Instead, his online presence supports his image as a businessman, investor, father, and public figure connected with art and modern entrepreneurship.
Health Status
There is no reliable public information showing any major health problem or injury related to Alexander Gilkes. For this reason, no health issue should be added to his biography.
A good biography should not invent personal medical details. Only publicly verified information should be included, especially when writing about health, family, and private life.
Career Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1979 | Born in London, England |
| Early Career | Worked in luxury and art-related roles |
| 2011 | Co-founded Paddle8 |
| 2018 | Relationship with Maria Sharapova became public |
| 2020 | Engagement with Maria Sharapova announced |
| 2020 | Co-founded Squared Circles |
| 2022 | Welcomed son Theodore |
| 2024 | Squared Circles gained major business attention through funding and brand growth |
| 2025 | Continued public work as a California-based entrepreneur and investor |
Legacy
Alexander Gilkes’ legacy is based on his ability to modernize traditional industries. Through Paddle8, he helped bring the art-auction world closer to digital buyers and collectors.
Through Squared Circles, he moved into a new business chapter focused on science-backed consumer brands. His journey shows both positive success and business challenges, making him a strong example of modern British entrepreneurship.
Conclusion
Alexander Gilkes is more than Maria Sharapova’s partner; he is a British businessman with a strong career in art, technology, investment, and brand building. From Paddle8 to Squared Circles, his work shows creativity, risk-taking, and professional reinvention.
His life story includes business achievements, public relationships, fatherhood, and private family values. Alexander Mark Heming Gilkes remains an influential name for readers interested in entrepreneurship, digital art, luxury markets, and modern consumer brands.
FAQ
Who is Alexander Gilkes?
He is a British businessman, entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Paddle8 and Squared Circles.
What is Alexander Gilkes’ real name?
His real name is Alexander Mark Heming Gilkes.
How old is Alexander Gilkes?
He is 46 years old as of May 2026.
Who is Alexander Gilkes’ partner?
She is Maria Sharapova, the former professional tennis champion.
Does Alexander Gilkes have children?
He has one son named Theodore.
Who was Alexander Gilkes married to before?
He was previously married to fashion designer Misha Nonoo.
What is Alexander Gilkes known for in business?
He is known for co-founding Paddle8 and Squared Circles.
What is Alexander Gilkes’ Instagram?
His public Instagram handle is @gilkesa.
