YouTube superstar MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, has married content creator Thea Booysen in an intimate wedding ceremony on Richard Branson’s Necker Island, surrounded by 70 of his closest friends and family.The 28-year-old couple exchanged vows after a week-long celebration that began on July 14 on the 74-acre private island in the British Virgin Islands. According to People, the festivities included kitesurfing, snorkeling, feeding the island’s lemurs and flamingos, and several days of celebrations before the wedding ceremony.Booysen wore a custom Nicole + Felicia Couture wedding dress, while Donaldson chose a Ralph Lauren tuxedo. Their ceremony was officiated by an ordained minister who is also a family friend.
The couple’s first dance was with Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
After the ceremony, the newlyweds made their entrance at the reception and shared their first dance to the song “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.Guests enjoyed an elaborate menu of sushi, Wagyu beef and fresh seafood, while the wedding cake reflected the bride’s favorite flavor – carrot cake.The celebrations didn’t end after dinner. A live band entertained guests before the party moved into the main house, where Booysen joked that everyone enjoyed “nerdy” activities like board games and card games.
How MrBeast and Thea Booysen met
Donaldson first met Booysen, a South African gamer, author and internet personality, during a visit to South Africa in 2022.Booysen recalled being surprised by the YouTuber’s personality.“When I met him, I was really surprised by how down-to-earth he was, and also how intelligent he was,” she said. “I thought YouTubers were kind of people, but when I met him, I was really surprised to see that he’s actually a nice guy. I wasn’t sitting there with an ego.”Donaldson said the pair “instantly vibed” and bonded over their shared love of learning. After returning to the United States, she sent Booysen a direct message to X, and the two soon began a long-distance relationship.The couple made their first public appearance together at the Kids’ Choice Awards in April 2022.
The Christmas proposal led to a private wedding
MrBeast proposed on Christmas Day 2024 at his home with both families present.Recalling the proposal, Donaldson said he created a small distraction before popping the big question.“I purposely dropped a big box to make a noise before I presented her with the actual gift — with the ring inside — and then I got down on one knee and proposed,” he said.Despite being one of the most popular and highest-paid YouTubers in the world, Donaldson has long said she wanted her wedding to be kept private.“It will definitely be more family and friends, definitely more private,” he had previously said, adding that he wanted to get away from work and spend quality time with loved ones.
‘It was heaven’
Reflecting on their wedding, Booysen described the celebration as unforgettable.“This is a cliché, but it was heaven,” he said.“We were so happy and there was so much love. We work so hard and can’t be around all our friends and family, so to have them all in one place was really special.”The couple also revealed that they hope the gathering will become an annual tradition.“We decided we want to start doing something like this every year, where we set aside a week for our friends and family to join us to spend time together,” Booysen said.Although the wedding officially made them husband and wife, Booysen said their relationship would remain unchanged.“It sounds silly, but this is just a formality,” he said. “Since we started dating we’ve done it with the goal of getting married. The difference is now the world knows we’re married, but we’re still going to go back to our house and the dogs and the cats, and then we’re off to our next adventure.”She also praised her husband for making every guest feel welcome, adding: “Jimmy went out of his way to make every guest feel very comfortable and included… It made me love him even more.”