Maro Itoje and Wife Mimi Hailed as Sport's Hottest New Power Couple
England rugby captain Maro Itoje and his wife Mimi have been celebrated as the sporting world's most glamorous new power couple following a stunning cover shoot for Hello! magazine. The feature offers an exclusive glimpse into their marriage, which began with a ceremony in May last year and was followed by a traditional Nigerian wedding celebration in late August.
A Double Celebration Amid a Busy Rugby Schedule
The 31-year-old lock forward described the August festivities, which took place after his participation in the British and Irish Lions' Tour in Australia, as 'the highlight' of his 2025. He shared intimate details of the ceremony, where he formally asked Mimi's family for permission to marry her, despite already being legally wed. The event was attended by several high-profile teammates, including:
- Alex Lozowski (Saracens)
- Elliot Daly (Saracens, England and Lions)
- Ollie Lawrence (England)
- Nick Isiekwe (Saracens and England)
- Marcus Smith (England and Lions)
- Ben Earl (Saracens, England and Lions)
Mimi, a model and artist, added: 'Then we had a big, very fun party.' She noted that their married life truly began only in the past three to four months, as Maro had to travel to Australia immediately after their May wedding. 'It's been lovely,' she said of settling into their London home.
Navigating Rugby and Royal Connections
Amid the whirlwind of newlywed life, Mimi admitted she is 'still learning' the rules of rugby and 'getting her bearings', having known little about the sport before meeting her husband. Meanwhile, Maro opened up about his experiences meeting members of the Royal family through his role in Steve Borthwick's England set-up.
He revealed that the Princess of Wales, the RFU's patron, engages in playful 'banter' with her husband, the patron of Welsh Rugby. 'William can't celebrate too hard when England win,' Itoje noted, referencing the friendly rivalry. This came as England kicked off their Six Nations campaign with a 48-7 victory over Wales last weekend, a match where Itoje started from the bench.
Personal Challenges and Team Support
Itoje joined Borthwick's camp later than usual following the tragic death of his mother, Florence, in December. He described the loss as 'by far the biggest and most painful loss I have ever experienced.' After flying to Nigeria for her funeral, he joined the team's training camp in Girona ahead of the Wales match.
England head coach Steve Borthwick expressed full support for his captain, stating: 'We are all deeply saddened for him. It has been incredibly challenging for him and his family. Being in Nigeria this week is an important step for him and everyone close to him. I think he will be really looking forward to being back with the team and focusing on the Test matches to come.'
The Hello! feature not only highlights the couple's rising status as a power duo but also underscores Itoje's resilience and the strong bonds within the England rugby community during both joyous and difficult times.
