Jessica Mauboy is one of Australia’s most beloved musicians. We first fell in love with her way back in 2006 during her Australian Idol days, but there’s one person who has fallen head over heels for Mauboy more than anyone else – her husband, Themeli Magripilis.
Is Jessica Mauboy married?
Jessica Mauboy has been married to her husband Themeli Magripilis since July 2022.
In a hilariously heartwarming story, the ARIA Award winner first crossed paths with her future husband when she was 18 on a club dance floor in Darwin. Their relationship got off to a cheeky start, with Jess’ self-described “crab claw” making a lasting first impression.
“I was dared to walk across the room in the club and pinch this guy. At the time I didn’t know who he was, but my friends knew of him and thought he was a very handsome man. It was a dare to start off with … to go through the crowd and pinch his bottom,” Mauboy told Show + Tell in 2015.
While the now 35-year-old admits that the soccer play was not her typical ‘type’, the singer slowly changed her tune after seeing Magripilis around town in Darwin before soon realising that their friendship could soon be something more.
Reflecting on their early relationship, Mauboy shared, “I’m the one who made the move and ended up getting his number from a really good friend. I texted and said ‘I’d really like this to work, how about you?’ and I didn’t think I would do anything in my life like that.”
With their relationship now official, the couple’s romance continued to blossom however, due to Mauboy’s demanding career schedule, the pair spent the first seven years of their relationship navigating long-distance, with Magripilis remaining in Darwin while Mauboy relocated to Sydney.
After years of Skype calls and back and forth, the couple finally relocated together to Sydney in 2016 and while holidaying in Greece later that year, Mauboy realised that he was ‘the one.’
“I would get all mushy when he would be talking to the yiayias or papaous on the street asking for directions or what to see on the island and I would think, ‘I love you, malaka,’” she told news.com.au.
“Out of all the moments we have had together it was a realisation that yes, I am going to be with him for the rest of my life, whether or not I have the ring.”
Three years later, Magripilis proposed to Mauboy on the Greek island of Kalymnos.
Announcing the news on Instagram, the singer shared a loved-up snap with her new fiancé alongside the caption, “The love of my life proposed to me in his family’s hometown of Kalymnos, Greece, on the beach at sunset. We are so happy I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with my best friend. Thank you for all the love BIG LOVE JM & Themeli.”
Speaking to Nova shortly after her exciting news, Mauboy revealed that Magripilis had planned to pop the question a year prior when she was away representing Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest, adding that it was a total surprise.
“It was freaky to me. It was as if he was going to pass me my phone cause he was taking photos, then he was down on one knee. He said, ‘Are you going to say yes or what cause I’m still here.'”
With family playing such a central role in the couple’s life, Magripilis ensured that the Mauboy family were involved in her proposal, with the 35-year-old asking her father for permission before getting down on one knee.
“There was one moment where he said ‘I’m gonna go with your dad.’ That was his moment of asking Dad for my hand. He said, ‘I’ve come on this drive to ask you if I can marry your daughter.’ I think my dad choked up and said ‘Yes, of course, I can think of no better person. I’ve been waiting for this moment.'”
What’s more, Magripilis’ Greek extended family spoke little English and knew nothing about Mauboy’s Indigenous culture, but welcomed her into the family with open arms.
“Them has quite a few cousins who’ve all gotten married and had children, but I think I’m the only one within the family who’s not Greek. I don’t think they’d ever had contact with dark skin before, but they’ve been really fascinated and it’s amazing,” Mauboy told In Style.
While their wedding may have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple revealed to WHO in early 2022 that their hometown wedding planning was officially underway.
“I always knew I wanted to have the wedding in Darwin,” says the singer, revealing that the nuptials would be hosted where the majority of her family still lives.
While Mauboy did not share any further details, the couple wed just a few months later on July 9 in a small church service in Darwin.
They celebrated with 300 guests at the Mindil Beach Casino afterwards in a reception that was reportedly full of happy tears and singing, though the newlyweds have yet to share any photos from the big day.
Does Jessica Mauboy have children?
Whilst kids are part of the couple’s plans, Mauboy has shared that it may also be a while before the couple expand their family.
“Having kids and getting married is something I can visualise, but it’s hard when you’re so deep in the creative process. You just want to give every part of you to the project,” she told WHO in 2019.
“My sisters always say, ‘When are we going to have a little Jess or little Themeli running around?’ and Them’s parents are getting much older and they’re like, ‘When are you going to have a baby? I want to have a little grandson or granddaughter.’ They’re freaking me out!”
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