YouTuber MrBeast, 26, is engaged! The internet sensation proposed to his girlfriend, Thea Booysen, 27, on Christmas Day at their home, surrounded by their families, who were in on the surprise.
The most-subscribed-to YouTuber, known for his “Beast Games” series, revealed the news on New Year’s Day, sharing a photo on Instagram of himself down on one knee, presenting an engagement ring to Booysen. The couple, who have been together for two years, wore matching MrBeast holiday sweaters as family members looked on.
Booysen also shared the joyous moment, posting a video clip from the proposal and showing off her new engagement ring — a round-cut diamond set on a rose gold band with additional diamonds on each side. She captioned the clip, “Jimmy ❤️,” referring to her fiancé’s birth name, James “Jimmy” Donaldson.
In an interview with People, the couple revealed that Booysen’s family flew in from South Africa to join them for the holiday celebrations in North Carolina. Donaldson explained that he wanted to include her family in this special moment, as they are very close.
Booysen recalled the proposal, saying, “We were opening presents, and then for the very last present he asked me to close my eyes because it was a surprise.” Donaldson admitted to dropping a large box to make noise before presenting the real gift, which contained the engagement ring. When Booysen opened her eyes, she was overjoyed and, of course, said yes.
Known for his viral challenges and elaborate stunts, Donaldson surprised many with a quiet, intimate proposal. He explained, “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.”
The couple, who plans to keep their wedding private as well, is embracing this new chapter in their lives.
