Dragon's Den investor and podcast host Steven Bartlett has officially announced his engagement to long-term partner Melanie Lopes, after a romantic Christmas Day proposal in Morocco. The 33-year-old entrepreneur shared intimate snaps and details of the surprise event on Instagram, revealing how he secretly flew to Marrakech to pop the question while Lopes was on holiday with her family.
The Surprise Christmas Proposal
Bartlett orchestrated an elaborate surprise for his girlfriend of nearly seven years. While Lopes, a French-Portuguese yoga entrepreneur, believed Bartlett was in Europe, he had secretly travelled to Morocco on Christmas Day. Before the proposal, Bartlett sought and received permission from Lopes's parents, a traditional step he emphasised in his social media post.
The setting was a stunning outdoor area that Bartlett had to adapt at the last minute. "I had to build this big hut outside because a thunderstorm was forecast last minute," he explained. He then walked out and surprised Lopes when she thought she was meeting her family for dinner. "To say I was nervous is an understatement… I could feel my heart racing in my chest," Bartlett confessed about the moment he got down on one knee.
A Ring Years in the Making
The engagement was not a spontaneous decision. Bartlett revealed he had been planning the ring for approximately four years, carefully noting Lopes's preferences. "About four years ago, she was talking about engagement rings with a friend, and I was looking over her shoulder... I was looking at her Pinterest, and saving the ones she said she really liked," he shared. This resulted in a dedicated folder on his phone that he used to commission the final diamond ring from a trusted jeweller in New York.
The couple, who met on Instagram in 2016, have consciously kept their relationship largely private despite both having careers heavily focused on social media. Their journey hasn't been without a pause; they briefly split after a year of dating as Bartlett concentrated on building his business empire. He later realised he couldn't live without her and famously flew 22 hours to Bali, where Lopes runs a retreat, to win her back.
New Perspectives on Marriage and Future Plans
In his heartfelt caption, Bartlett admitted his views on marriage have completely transformed since meeting Lopes. "10 years ago, I didn’t really understand the concept of marriage as many of you know - but when you meet the right person, a lot of things start to make sense," he wrote. He has described Lopes as "an angel that fell from the sky" and someone who is "everything that I'm not," crediting her with helping him anchor his life and aspire to be a better man.
Sources close to the couple say that after living together in both London and Los Angeles, they have never been happier and are excited to begin wedding planning. Bartlett, whose company was recently valued at £320 million, also spoke of his excitement about future family life, stating, "I'm very excited about depending on other people and having other people depend on me."
The engagement caps a remarkable year for Bartlett, who is best known for hosting the chart-topping 'The Diary of a CEO' podcast and being the youngest Dragon on the BBC's Dragons' Den. Alongside wedding plans, he is set to return for the upcoming series of the investment show and continue growing his media ventures.
