Model Thylane Blondeau Announces Engagement to French DJ Ben Attal
French model and designer Thylane Blondeau, famously labelled the world's most beautiful girl during her childhood career, has announced her engagement to French DJ Ben Attal following a romantic proposal on the glamorous Athens Riviera. The couple shared their joyful news on Sunday evening while staying at the exclusive five-star Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel in Greece.
A Picture-Perfect Proposal Setting
The sun-drenched landscapes and sweeping views of the Aegean Sea provided what many consider one of the world's most beautiful backdrops for the couple's special moment. Attal orchestrated an Instagram-friendly affair beneath a cloudless blue sky, complete with romantic red rose petals, Michelin star cuisine, and cinematic hilltop ocean views.
Blondeau, 24, shared the happy news with her six million-plus social media followers, writing: 'I said yes to my best friend. Here's to forever.' The model posted an array of photos showcasing her stunning engagement ring - a sparkling oval diamond set in a solid gold band.
The Engagement Ring: A Modern Masterpiece
Celebrity jeweller and gemologist Benjamin Khordipour of New York City-based Estate Diamond Jewelry has analyzed Blondeau's ring, describing it as 'approximately two carats, cut in an oval shape with an excellent cut quality.'
'Based on the photos, I would estimate the diamond to be around E color and VVS1 clarity,' Khordipour told the Daily Mail. 'The design is very modern and minimalist, featuring a simple 18K yellow gold four-prong setting. The elegance of the ring comes from its simplicity, which draws the viewer's attention entirely to the center diamond.'
The expert valued the ring at approximately $45,000 (£34,000), noting that many celebrities have recently gravitated toward oval-shaped solitaire engagement rings. 'Interestingly, this minimalist style echoes the late 1800s, when solitaire engagement rings were especially fashionable and prized for showcasing the beauty of a single diamond,' he added.
A Relationship Conducted Away from the Spotlight
The engagement comes almost six years after Blondeau began her relationship with Attal, whose Instagram account remains refreshingly private. While their romance has mostly unfolded away from public scrutiny, the couple have been spotted enjoying romantic holidays together in Saint Tropez.
Following the proposal, Blondeau was seen displaying her engagement ring as the couple prepared to venture out for an evening in central Athens, located just a 30-minute drive from the Riviera. The next day, she suggested the engagement occurred on their final night at the Four Seasons by sharing a photo of their suitcases stacked on a luggage trolley.
Blondeau's Remarkable Career Journey
Blondeau was catapulted into the spotlight at just three years old when an agent for legendary fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier discovered her in The Champs-Elysees and sent her strutting down a catwalk. The daughter of retired footballer Patrick Blondeau walked for Jean Paul Gaultier at age four and later, at just ten years old, became the youngest ever model to pose for Vogue Paris.
She earned the title 'most beautiful girl in the world' from Vogue Enfants on two separate occasions, though the editorial attracted criticism at the time for being too 'sexualised' as Blondeau wore short dresses and makeup. Her fashion designer mother Veronika Loubry defended the cover, telling a French newspaper: 'The only thing that shocks me about the photo is the necklace that she's wearing, which is worth three million Euros.'
Blondeau made her adult runway debut in February 2017, walking for Dolce & Gabbana at Milan Fashion Week with such success that the designer duo invited her back in September 2017. She has since worked with major couture brands including Miu Miu, Dolce & Gabbana, L'Oréal Paris, Versace, Ralph Lauren, and Hugo Boss, and served as a L'Oréal brand ambassador and the face of a perfume by French designer Lolita Lempicka.
Health Challenges and Personal Growth
In a 2018 interview with The Telegraph, Blondeau distanced herself from the girl once declared the world's 'most beautiful,' stating: 'Even today, people are like, "you are the most beautiful girl," and I'm like, "no, I'm still not, I'm just a human being, a teenager."'
Amid her glamorous career, Blondeau has faced significant health challenges. In 2021, the Paris-based model revealed she had undergone multiple surgeries for complications with ovarian cysts. While the vast majority of ovarian cysts are non-cancerous, surgical treatment may be necessary if they're large, causing symptoms, or potentially cancerous. In some cases, surgery to remove both ovaries may be required, which would prevent women from producing any eggs.
The engagement marks a new chapter for Blondeau, who was previously involved in brief relationships with YouTuber Raphaël Le Friant and French DJ Milane Meritte. Her parents were married from 2002 to 2016 before their divorce, with her mother eventually moving on with producer Gérard Kadoche.
As the couple celebrates their engagement at the luxurious Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel - where guests pay approximately £600 per night to immerse themselves in what the hotel describes as 'a serene beachfront escape where sea, land, and culture come together in perfect harmony' - their followers eagerly await further details about their wedding plans.
