YouTube star Jimmy "MrBeast" Donaldson is now officially off the market after proposing to his girlfriend, Thea Booysen, on Christmas Day. The couple, having been together since 2022, marked the occasion during a private, intimate moment at their home, surrounded by both their families.
According to Thea, who hails from South Africa, the surprise proposal involved her family flying out to join the celebrations. "My family flew out from South Africa for Christmas, and we were going to do Christmas in our house, so both families were here," she recalled. The excitement of the proposal was heightened as MrBeast orchestrated the moment during the gift exchange. "We were opening presents, and then for the very last present, he asked me to close my eyes because it was a surprise," Booysen shared with People magazine.
MrBeast, recognized for his elaborate YouTube stunts and viral challenges, took the route of romance rather than spectacle, preferring this significant event to be intimate. Reflecting on the surprise, he said, "I intentionally dropped a large box to make noise before presenting the real gift—the ring inside—and then I went down on a knee and proposed." Thea confirmed the success of his surprise, adding, "Of course, I said yes," expressing her excitement during the emotional moment.
The engagement ring features a diamond set in a rose gold band with additional diamonds—far beyond what Thea anticipated. She playfully remarked, "I would have been happy with a plastic ring." Despite MrBeast's reputation for large public spectacles, he wished for this moment to be shared with family. He expressed, "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. But I knew I wanted it to be the opposite, to be really private and intimate." The couple ensured both families participated, making the moment even more special as they shared the Christmas holiday together.
The couple's relationship began when MrBeast traveled to South Africa, where they were introduced by mutual friends. Thea was initially taken aback by how down-to-earth MrBeast was, contrasting the larger-than-life persona often associated with YouTube stars. "When I met him, I was quite surprised how down-to-earth he was, and also how intelligent he was," she admitted. Their chemistry was palpable, leading to calls and exchanges focused on their shared interests, such as science and psychology.
Prior to the engagement, MrBeast had discussed the timing of the proposal with Thea, who was pursuing her master's degree. She suggested he wait until after her graduation, and true to his word, he proposed just one month after she completed her studies.
For Thea, the engagement was just another step—they had already discussed the future together. "I think of us as already married. We talk about children, how we’re going to live together when we’re 70 years old... this was just another step in the process." MrBeast echoed the sentiment, emphasizing their collective plans for the future.
Wedding planning is already underway, albeit focused on intimacy rather than grandeur. "We have the best team, I want to say, who can quickly plan a wedding if we need to," Thea reported. MrBeast confirmed their intention for the wedding to be private and meaningful. "This will definitely be more family and friends—definitely more private. I don’t take much vacation because of how hard I work, so this will be a time to celebrate with her and spend time with friends and family." They envision their special day taking place on some serene island, away from the crowds, as they prioritize their closeness with family and friends.
Looking forward, the couple is eager to embrace their future together. MrBeast described his favorite part of each day as simply spending time with Thea. "After working 14-15 hour days, I just want to chill and hang out," he reflected. Both share various interests, including video games, adventures, and spending time with their dogs.
With their professional commitments and busy schedules, MrBeast and Thea are excited to take this next step together. For the moment, they are cherishing their relationship and preparing for their wedding day, wherever it may be, with great anticipation.