MrBeast Announces Engagement to Thea Booysen with Plans for Intimate Island Wedding
YouTube sensation MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, delighted fans on Christmas Day by announcing his engagement to girlfriend Thea Booysen. The proposal, a heartfelt surprise that included both their families, marks the latest milestone in the couple’s storybook romance.
A Christmas Proposal
MrBeast, 26, proposed to Booysen, 27, in front of their families during a festive celebration at their home. Booysen shared the details with People:
“My family flew out from South Africa for Christmas, and we were opening presents together. For the very last present, Jimmy asked me to close my eyes because it was a surprise.”
Donaldson added his own playful touch to the moment, explaining, “I intentionally dropped a large box to make noise before presenting the real gift—with the ring inside—to her. Then I went down on one knee and proposed.”
MrBeast popped the question on Christmas Day (Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Prime Video)
The timing was deliberate, as he wanted Booysen’s family to be part of the special occasion. “Thea is really close to her family, so Christmas was the perfect opportunity to include them,” he explained.
A Love Story That Began in South Africa
The couple first met in 2022 during one of MrBeast’s trips to South Africa. Their introduction occurred at a dinner party hosted by a mutual friend, and they quickly hit it off.
Reflecting on their initial meeting, MrBeast said:
“When we were first introduced, it was clear right away how brilliant Thea is. She has such a range of knowledge and can go deep on lots of topics. She told me about her work as an author and her passion for her hobbies—we vibed instantly. I knew within minutes that I wanted to date her.”
Booysen also recalled her first impression of the YouTube star:
“I was surprised by how down-to-earth and intelligent he was. I thought YouTubers were just personas, but he turned out to be a genuinely nice guy. He wasn’t sitting there with an ego.”
Wedding Plans: A Private Island Celebration
The couple revealed that their wedding will be an intimate affair, reflecting their preference for meaningful over extravagant.
Booysen shared their vision for the big day:
“We’re thinking of doing it somewhere on an island where we’re far away from just about everybody. It’s not going to be a big, extravagant wedding. It’ll be intimate, with just close family and friends.”
From Gamers to Soulmates
Both Donaldson and Booysen are avid gamers, with Booysen also known as an author and creative personality. Their shared interests and mutual admiration have been key to their strong connection.
MrBeast met his now fiancée in 2022 (Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Prime Video)
As the most-subscribed individual on YouTube, MrBeast’s life is often in the public eye, but this engagement has offered a rare glimpse into his personal life. Fans of the YouTube star have flooded social media with congratulations and well-wishes for the couple.
A New Chapter
For MrBeast and Thea Booysen, the engagement marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. From their initial meeting in South Africa to the upcoming island wedding, their journey is a testament to love that transcends continents.
With their big day on the horizon, the couple is set to continue building a life together, proving that even in the digital age, heartfelt connections can lead to fairy-tale endings.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Steve Granitz/Getty Images/Jon Kopaloff
