A former Miss Argentina and a former Miss Puerto Rico shocked and delighted fans by announcing their surprise marriage on Instagram. Mariana Varela and Fabiola Valentín met at the 2020 Miss Grand International competition in Thailand, where they represented Argentina and Puerto Rico, respectively. After making it to the pageant top 10, the two beauty queens appeared to remain close friends on social media. What fans didn’t know was that they were secretly dating the whole time.

The pair posted matching Instagram reels showing moments from their relationship, including romantic walks on the beach, candid cuddles, champagne toasts, and a proposal with gold and silver balloons spelling out, “Marry me?”

The main image of the post shows the pair outside of the city courthouse in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they married on October 28. “After deciding to keep our relationship private, we opened the doors on a special day,” the caption reads in Spanish.

The main image of the post shows the pair outside of the city courthouse in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they married on October 28. “After deciding to keep our relationship private, we opened the doors on a special day,” the caption reads in Spanish.

“Congratulations,” wrote Ghanaian singer and beauty queen Abena Akuaba, who won Miss Grand International 2020. “MGI brought together a beautiful union.” Abena Akuaba's message, congratulating the Miss Grand International 2020 winner, reflects the unifying spirit of the pageant. Her words express the idea of a "beautiful union," suggesting that the event brought together diverse individuals and cultures, possibly emphasising the importance of unity, beauty, and diversity on a global platform. This sentiment aligns with the pageant's aim of promoting peace, goodwill, and international understanding.

Their continued friendship on social media after reaching the top 10 of the pageant showcased their camaraderie. However, the revelation that they were secretly in a relationship during this time added an intriguing and heartwarming layer to their story. It's a beautiful example of connections formed beyond the public eye, highlighting the depth of their bond that extended beyond their shared experience in the competition.