YouTube superstar MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, married fellow content creator Thea Booysen in an intimate wedding ceremony on Richard Branson’s Necker Island, surrounded by 70 of their closest friends and family.The couple, both 28, exchanged vows after a week-long celebration that began on July 14 on a 74-acre private island in the British Virgin Islands. According to People, the festivities include kitesurfing, snorkeling, feeding the island’s lemurs and flamingos, and several days of celebration before the wedding ceremony.Booysen wore a custom Nicole + Felicia Couture wedding gown, while Donaldson chose a Ralph Lauren tuxedo. Their ceremony was officiated by an ordained minister who was also a family friend.
The couple’s first dance was Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
After the ceremony, the newlyweds entered the reception and shared their first dance to Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ hit song “Die With a Smile.”Guests enjoyed an elaborate menu featuring sushi, Wagyu beef and fresh seafood, while the wedding cake featured the bride’s favorite flavor—carrot cake.The celebrations did not end after dinner. A live band welcomed 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 remembers being surprised by the YouTuber’s personality.“When I met him, I was very surprised by how down-to-earth he was, and also how intelligent he was,” she said. “I thought that YouTubers are just one type of persona, but when I met him, I was surprised to see that he is a kind person. He’s not sitting there with an ego.”Donaldson said the couple “vibed right away” and bonded over their shared love of learning. After returning to the United States, he sent Booysen a direct message to X, and the two 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
Mr. Beast proposed on Christmas Day 2024 at their home with two families.Recalling the proposal, Donaldson said he made a small distraction before popping the big question.“I deliberately dropped a big box to make a noise before presenting the real gift—with a ring inside—to her. And then I got down on one knee and proposed,” he said.Despite being one of the most famous and highest paid YouTubers in the world, Donaldson has long said she wanted to keep her wedding private.“It’s definitely going to be more family and friends — definitely more private,” he said previously, adding that he wanted to leave work and spend quality time with loved ones.
“That was heaven”
Reflecting on their wedding, Booysen described the celebration as unforgettable.“It’s a cliché, but it’s heaven,” he said.“We are very happy, and there is a lot of love. We work a lot and can’t be with all our friends and family, so all in one place is very special.”The couple also revealed that they hope to make the gathering an annual tradition.“We decided we wanted to start doing something like this every year, where we set aside a week for our friends and family to join us to be together,” Booysen said.Although the wedding officially made them husband and wife, Booysen said their relationship itself will remain unchanged.“It sounds silly, but it’s just a formality,” he said. “Ever since we were dating we’ve been doing it with the goal of marriage. The difference is now the world knows we’re married, but we’re still going home to our house and dogs and cats, and then we’re off 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 the guests feel comfortable and feel included… It makes me love him even more.”
