Miss Argentina and Miss Puerto Rico Secretly Tied the Knot Last Month

Congratulations are in order for Miss Argentina and Miss Puerto Rico! Mariana Varela, who was crowned Miss Argentina 2020, and Fabiola Valentín, who is Miss Puerto Rico 2020, made a grand reveal on Instagram on Sunday, October 30, 2022, explaining that not only were the two women in a relationship, but that they also got secretly married at the San Juan courthouse two days earlier, on October 28. To share the news, the couple posted a joint Instagram with a caption written in Spanish. It translates to: "After deciding to keep our relationship private, we opened the doors to them on a special day. 28/10/22 ❤️💍✨."

The joint post is actually a video that highlights a number of special moments throughout their ultra-private relationship. The duo gave their fans a look at their vacations at the beach, intimate moments at home, their surprise engagement (which was complete with balloons that read "Marry Me?"), and the newlyweds on the steps of the San Juan courthouse shortly after they said "I do."

The fashion on the big day, of course, was statement-making. What else would you expect from two pageant stars? One of the two brides donned a white belted dress with a fringe trim while the other wore a white blazer and black pants for their nuptials. They also shared a first look at each of their stunning engagement rings. Both women now sport similar halo engagement rings with pavé bands, although the center stones appear to be different shapes.

The couple first met at the Miss Grand International pageant in 2020 where they both competed for their respective countries. While they developed a friendship during the pageant, the pair reconnected and their relationship ultimately grew. Throughout the next few years, the couple posted Instagram photos of them together yet did not reveal they were a couple. In one post back in 2021, Vesela posted a throwback to their days together in Thailand during the pageant with the caption: "I miss u @fabiolavalentinpr 🇵🇷👑❤️."

Later, it appeared the couple reunited as they began to post photos of themselves together at events and at the beach. In January 2022, Vesela posted a photo of them back together with the caption: "Hi 🌅 @fabiolavalentinpr."

Their surprise announcement has been met with excited, celebratory feedback, with heartwarming responses coming in from friends, family, and fans. Miss Grand USA 2020 winner Abena Akuaba, the first Black woman to win the Miss Grand International pageant who competed with the pair, commented, "Omg congratulations MGI brought together a beautiful union 😍."