YouTube star Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, married content creator Thea Booysen in a week-long celebration held at a private island resort. The couple, who first met in 2022, exchanged vows on Christmas Day 2024 before hosting a formal wedding celebration that began on July 14.
An Intimate Ceremony on a Private Island
The nuptials took place at a 74-acre private island resort, where the couple hosted an intimate group of family and friends. While the pair technically became husband and wife on Christmas Day 2024, the recent festivities served as a formal celebration of their union.
Donaldson, who has built a global following through high-stakes YouTube challenges and the Prime Video reality series Beast Games, opted for a classic look for the occasion. He wore a Ralph Lauren tuxedo, while Booysen appeared in a custom gown designed by Nicole + Felicia Couture. The ceremony was officiated by a family friend who is an ordained minister.
From a First Meeting to “MrsBeast”
The couple’s journey began in 2022 when they were introduced by a mutual friend during a trip to Booysen’s home country, South Africa. Booysen later noted that her initial impression of the YouTuber was positive, stating, I thought YouTubers were just sort of a persona, but when I met him, I was quite surprised to see that he’s actually a nice guy.
He wasn’t sitting there with an ego.
Following their initial meeting, the two maintained a long-distance relationship and made their first public appearance together at the Kids’ Choice Awards in April 2022. By December 2024, Donaldson proposed on Christmas Day. Booysen had previously encouraged him to wait until she completed her graduate studies at the University of Edinburgh before they officially tied the knot.
Public Spectacle vs. Private Reality
Despite Donaldson’s career being defined by massive, public-facing stunts—including a multi-million dollar prize pot for his Beast Games competition—he remained committed to keeping his marriage proposal and personal life private. 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,
Donaldson said. But I knew that I wanted it to be the opposite, to be really private and intimate.
Booysen echoed this sentiment regarding the wedding itself, viewing the elaborate week of festivities as a symbolic formality. It sounds silly, but this is really just a formality,
she told AsiaOne. Ever since we started dating we’ve been doing it with the goal of marriage.
Social Media Confirmation
Donaldson confirmed the news on Instagram on July 21, sharing photos of the couple in their wedding attire.
“I found MrsBeast ❤️❤️❤️ and it was the best day of my life.”
Jimmy Donaldson, via USA TODAY
The couple plans to make these group celebrations a recurring tradition. Booysen indicated that the opportunity to gather friends and family in one location was a highlight of the experience, noting that they intend to set aside a week every year for similar reunions.
Professional Context and Legal Challenges
The wedding follows a period of professional scrutiny for Donaldson. While his YouTube channel remains successful, his media company, Beast Industries, has faced legal hurdles. Additionally, Donaldson has faced legal action from contestants involved in his reality series regarding their treatment during filming, alongside ongoing public debates regarding whether his viral giveaways are staged.
As the couple begins this new chapter, their public transition from dating to marriage highlights the tension between the curated, high-stakes world of viral content creation and the personal milestones that occur behind the camera. For now, the couple remains focused on their shared future, with Booysen noting that despite the public nature of their lives, they remain grounded in their daily routine, off to our next adventure.
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