YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, more widely known as MrBeast, is all set to tie the knot with his girlfriend Thea Booysen. The 26-year-old shared the news of his engagement on social media on New Year’s Day, revealing that he bent the knee on Christmas Day with both sides of the family present.
MrBeast, known for his elaborate challenges and exorbitant giveaways, opted for a more low-key approach for the proposal. "My friends thought I would want to propose in a very public way, like some sort of spectacle at the Super Bowl or somewhere else really big like that, but I knew that I wanted it to be the opposite, to be really private and intimate," he told People magazine.
He added, "I was trying to think of the best way to catch her off guard so it would be a surprise. Thea is really close to her family, so I wanted to make sure that they were included in this momentous occasion. Christmas worked out great because they were in town from the other side of the world."
Opening up about her surprise engagement, Booysen told the magazine, "My family flew out from South Africa for Christmas and we were going to do Christmas in our house so both families were here. We were opening presents, and then for the very last present he asked me to close my eyes because it was a surprise."
How did they meet?
Booysen, 27, and MrBeast first crossed paths in 2022 in South Africa, where she resides. The pair met through a mutual friend at dinner and quickly bonded. "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 how passionate she is about her hobbies — we vibed instantly,” MrBeast recalled about his soon-to-be wife, who holds a bachelor's degree in law, an honours degree in psychology, and a master's degree in human cognitive neuropsychology from the University of Edinburgh.
Despite being in different countries, the duo maintained a close connection through long calls, which blossomed into a loving relationship. The couple made their first public appearance at the 2022 Kids’ Choice Awards.
MrBeast also clarified that, much like the proposal, the wedding will also be an intimate affair, attended only by close family and friends. Dreaming of an island wedding, the couple hopes to spend some time away despite MrBeast’s demanding schedule.
