Celebrating love: Amor Vittone announces engagement to Marius van Biljon

South African singer and media personality Amor Vittone is officially engaged to Marius van Biljon. 

Vittone shared the happy news just yesterday, January 28, on Instagram with a picture of her ring and the caption: "I said yes."

The pair first met while Vittone was performing at van Biljon's family restaurant, Captain’s Island, in Pretoria.

While van Biljon admitted during a recent radio interview on Jacaranda FM that he was a bit nervous to meet the star at first, he says the spark was instant.

He described her as incredibly "down-to-earth" and "real", while she praised van Biljon for being a "true gentleman" who makes her feel "safe and seen".

What makes this love story even more touching is the journey both have walked.

Vittone was previously married to the late rugby legend Joost van der Westhuizen, who died in 2017 after a long battle with motor neuron disease (MND). The country mourned together with her. 

Meanwhile, van Biljon's wife, Shannon van Biljon (former Mrs Pretoria Tshwane 2023), passed away in July last year, after a short illness, revealing early-stage kidney failure.

The couple opened up about their bond on "Breakfast with Martin Bester".

They shared how they felt an immediate "vibe" and have deeply connected over their shared interests and the experience of navigating life after loss.

"When we met, I instantly looked at him and said, 'Ooh, he's nice', and I wasn't looking for anything... When we went back to perform for a Women's Day celebration, I told my mom, 'You must see this guy who runs this restaurant, the manager, he is so nice, so hot, and so vibey, and he's just got an aura and vibe around him'," shared Vittone.

"When we got there, she looked around and said, 'Is that the guy? ... He's so nice'. I think she fell in love with him more than I did."

Before putting a ring on it, the couple decided to test their compatibility the old-fashioned way: a long-distance road trip.

After a recent holiday to Namibia, Vittone joked that if you can survive 24/7 company and a long road trip in a foreign country without any arguments, you know it’s the real deal. 

"I carried all her luggage," Van Biljon joked. "And she's a heavy traveller!"

They both laughed, agreeing that if you can travel well together, moving in together feels like a natural next step.

Fans and friends have flooded social media with love for the couple.

"Congratulations @mariusvb52 & @amor_vittone, wishing you many blessed years of joy, happiness, love and abundance. ❤️," wrote André Huysamen. 

"Congratulations, Amor and Marius! 💍 So incredibly happy for you 😍You deserve all the happiness, love and beautiful moments that are now on your path 💖 ✨," said @claudengel.