American film producer and preacher, DeVon Franklin is engaged.
The 46-year-old preacher announced his engagement to the 29-year-old celebrity trainer, Maria Castillo in an exclusive interview with People magazine
The couple got engaged on Dec. 27, 2024, during a romantic, intimate photoshoot outside The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, while on vacation.
“We went to Maui for vacation, I told her we were going do a photo shoot and during the photoshoot, I surprised her with the proposal! It was truly a magical moment and I can’t wait to spend a magical life with Maria,” Franklin told the outlet.
He added, “Finding Maria has been one of God’s greatest blessings in my life, so I wanted the proposal to be as special as our love.”
Photos shared exclusively with the publication show the moment during the oceanside shoot when Franklin dropped down on one knee and popped the big question while a pleasantly surprised Castillo looked on.
“I’m still in awe of how it all happened! It was such a beautiful surprise, and I can’t even put into words how happy I am,” Castillo told People.
Franklin and Castillo met a year ago through Castillo’s then-business partner Mike Trusdale, who introduced them over brunch after thinking they should meet. The happy couple told People they’ve been inseparable ever since.
According to People, their first public appearance was in October 2024 at The Pink Awards in Georgia. Then, in November, the two attended the Merge Awards Gala, which honors those who merge their spirituality with entertainment to make an impact.
Before his relationship with Castillo, Franklin was married to Megan Good for nearly a decade. The former couple tied the knot in June 2012 but separated in August 2021. Franklin filed for divorce in December 2021, and their split was finalized in June 2022, with both parties settling privately.