It happened in the middle of a rainy stadium in Munich. Thousands of fans were screaming, neon lights were blurring into the mist, and one guy held up a sign asking for Adele’s hand in marriage. Standard fan behavior, right? But then she said it. "I can't marry you," she quipped, flashing a massive rock on her finger that probably cost more than my entire neighborhood. "Because I'm already getting married!"
Just like that, the "who is Adele engaged to" mystery that had been fueling internet sleuths for literal years was solved.
The Man Behind the Ring: Rich Paul
If you aren't a die-hard basketball fan, the name Rich Paul might not have rung a bell immediately. But in the world of professional sports, he’s basically royalty. He isn't a singer. He doesn't act. He’s the powerhouse founder of Klutch Sports Group and the guy who represents some of the biggest names in the NBA—most notably, his longtime friend LeBron James.
Honestly, the pairing is kinda perfect. You’ve got the world’s most famous torch-song singer and a guy who clawed his way from selling vintage jerseys out of his trunk in Cleveland to becoming one of the most influential agents in sports history. It’s a total power move.
The two have been a thing since early 2021. They first went "public" while sitting courtside at an NBA Finals game. Adele later told Vogue she didn't even mean for that to be their big reveal. She just wanted to go to the game and be around him. He makes her laugh. He's smart. And, according to her, he’s "hilarious."
Wait, Aren't They Already Married?
This is where it gets messy. For a long time, people were convinced they’d already eloped. Adele is known for being cheeky with her words, and she hasn't exactly made it easy to keep track of their status.
- The "Husband" Comment: During her Las Vegas residency, she casually referred to Rich as her "husband" while talking to a fan.
- The Alan Carr Incident: At a comedy show in LA, the comedian asked the audience if anyone had recently gotten married, and Adele reportedly shouted, "I did!"
- The "Mr. and Mrs. Paul" Book: Fans with hawk-eyes spotted a photo book on her coffee table in a social media post that seemed to have their married names on the spine.
But despite all that smoke, the Munich "confirmation" in August 2024 seemed to reset the clock. She’s officially a bride-to-be, not a secret wife. At least, that's the story for now.
A Blended Family in the Works
Adele has been super open about her desire to expand her family. She already has her son, Angelo, from her previous marriage to Simon Konecki. Rich has three kids of his own: Reonna, Richie, and Zane.
Adele’s even been spotted at Reonna’s college graduation, shouting from the bleachers like any proud stepmom would. She told Elle back in 2022 that she is "absolutely" open to more kids. "I'm a homemaker and I'm a matriarch," she said. It sounds like the "30" era of heartbreak is firmly in the rearview mirror.
Why Rich Paul is Different
Most of us remember the era of Adele’s music that felt like a permanent rainy Tuesday. It was beautiful, but man, it was heavy. Seeing her with Rich feels... different. They’re constantly at games, laughing, looking genuinely obsessed with each other.
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Rich isn't intimidated by her fame. How could he be? He spends his days negotiating hundred-million-dollar contracts for superstars. He has his own lane, his own money (a net worth estimated around $120 million), and his own legacy. He’s not "Adele’s boyfriend"—he’s Rich Paul, who happens to be engaged to Adele. That kind of independence probably goes a long way when you’re dating a global icon.
What's Next for the Couple?
Now that the "who is Adele engaged to" question is buried, everyone is looking for a wedding date. Don't hold your breath for a televised royal-style wedding, though. If there's one thing we know about Adele, it's that she values her privacy.
She recently wrapped up her massive "Weekends with Adele" residency in Vegas and that stint in Munich. She's hinted at taking a "big break" from music to focus on her life. Basically, she’s earned some downtime.
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If you're looking for actionable ways to keep up with the latest or just want to channel that "Adele in Love" energy, here’s what you should keep an eye on:
- Watch the Courtside: The NBA season is usually where you'll catch the most candid photos of them. They rarely do red carpets, but they never miss a big game.
- Check Out "Lucky Me": If you want to know more about the man she’s marrying, Rich Paul wrote a memoir called Lucky Me: A Memoir of Changing the Odds. It dives deep into his upbringing in Cleveland and how he built his empire. It gives a lot of context to why Adele finds him so impressive.
- Listen to "30" Again: Now that we know where the story ends (with a ring and a smile), songs like "All Night Parking" hit a little differently. They’re a glimpse into those early, giddy days of their romance.
Adele has spent her career giving us the soundtrack to our breakups. It’s kinda nice to see her finally getting her own "happily ever after" with someone who seems to keep her grounded. Whether the wedding happens this year or next, one thing is for sure: the next album is going to sound a lot more like a celebration than a cry for help.