YouTube star MrBeast (real name Jimmy Donaldson) married content creator Thea Booysen in an intimate ceremony on Richard Branson’s Necker Island in front of 70 of their closest friends and family.The couple, both 28, exchanged vows on July 14 after a week-long celebration on the 74-acre private island in the British Virgin Islands. According to People magazine, festivities included kitesurfing, snorkeling, feeding the island’s lemurs and flamingos, and festivities in the days leading up to the wedding.Booysen wore a custom-made wedding dress by Nicole + Felicia Couture, while Donaldson chose a Ralph Lauren tuxedo. Their ceremony was officiated by an ordained minister, who was also a friend of the family.
The couple’s first dance was to Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
After the ceremony, the newlyweds made their way to the reception and shared their first dance to Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ hit song “Die With a Smile.”Guests enjoyed a carefully crafted menu including sushi, wagyu and fresh seafood, while the wedding cake reflected the bride’s favorite flavor – carrot cake.The festivities didn’t end after dinner. A live band entertained guests before the party moved to the main house, and Booysen joked that everyone enjoyed “nerdy” activities like board games and card games.
How MrBeast and Thea Booysen met
Donaldson first met South African gamer, author and internet personality Boysen during a visit to South Africa in 2022.Booysen recalled being surprised by the YouTuber’s personality.“When I met him, I was so surprised at how down-to-earth he was and how smart he was,” she said. “I thought the YouTuber was just a character, but when I met him I was surprised to see that he was actually a good person. He wasn’t sitting there with an ego. “The two “immediately clicked” and bonded over their shared love of learning, Donaldson said. After returning to the United States, he sent a private message to Booysen on X, and the two soon began a long-distance relationship.In April 2022, the couple made their first public appearance together at the Kids’ Choice Awards.
Christmas proposal leads to private wedding
MrBeast proposed on Christmas Day 2024 at their home with both families present.Recalling the offer, Donaldson said he created a small distraction before raising the big question.“I purposely dropped a big box to make noise and then gave her the real gift – which had the ring inside – and then I got down on one knee and proposed,” he said.Although Donaldson is one of the most popular and highest-paid YouTubers in the world, he has long said he wanted his wedding to remain private.“It’s definitely going to be more connecting with family and friends, and it’s definitely going to be more private,” he previously said, adding that he wanted to take a break from work and spend quality time with loved ones.
“That’s heaven”
Looking back on their wedding, Booysen describes the celebration as unforgettable.“It’s cliche, but it was heaven,” she said.“We are so happy and full of love. We work a lot and can’t be with all our friends and family, so it’s really special to have everyone together in one place.”The couple also revealed they hope to make the gathering an annual tradition.“We decided to start doing something like this every year where we set aside a week for our friends and family to spend time with us,” Booysen said.Although the wedding officially makes them husband and wife, Booysen said their relationship itself will remain the same.“It sounds silly, but it’s really just a formality,” she said. “We’ve always had the goal of getting married since we started dating. The difference is, now the world knows we’re married, but we still go back to our house and our dogs and cats, and then we move on to our next adventure.”She also praised her husband for making every guest feel welcome, adding, “Jimmy really goes out of his way to make all of his guests super comfortable and feel included…which makes me love him even more.”