Metallica frontman James Hetfield recently captivated fans with a truly unique and romantic marriage proposal to his girlfriend, fashion designer Adriana Gillett. The 62-year-old rock icon popped the question on Friday, March 13, during an adventurous scuba diving excursion, crafting an unforgettable moment amidst the serene underwater world.

The joyous occasion was swiftly shared across social media, offering a glimpse into the special event. Hetfield posted a striking image on Metallica's official Instagram account, showcasing himself submerged in scuba gear, holding a sign that boldly read: “Adriana Gillett Will You Marry Me?” Floating gracefully beside him in the clear blue water, 45-year-old Gillett was pictured holding up a ring box and giving a triumphant thumbs-up with her left hand. The post was succinctly captioned: “She said yes!”

Adriana Gillett reciprocated the excitement on her own Instagram profile, reposting the same photograph and adding a heartfelt message. She described the proposal as “The BEST birthday trip surprise 🎉Swimming with whale sharks on Friday the 13th 👀 with the most unique, special, and romantic proposal a Pisces could ever imagine 💍 In a sea full of fish, we caught each other 🩵 Thank you God for putting us together 🐋🦈.” Her words beautifully conveyed the personal and romantic significance of the underwater setting, further enhanced by the timing of the proposal during her birthday trip.

This engagement follows Hetfield's divorce from his wife of 25 years, costume designer Francesca Tomasi, which was filed in 2022. From their long marriage, James and Francesca share three children: daughters Cali (27) and Marcella (24), and son Castor (25). Reports indicate that Hetfield and London native Gillett began their relationship in 2023, marking this proposal as a significant new chapter in their journey together.

The newly engaged couple will have several months to cherish their exciting new status before Hetfield dives back into the demanding schedule of Metallica's M72 world tour. The tour is slated to recommence on May 9 with a performance at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece, followed by a May 13 show in Bucharest, Romania, and a May 19 stop in Chrozow, Poland. After a comprehensive summer series of European and U.K. dates, Metallica is set to embark on a highly anticipated 24-show residency at Las Vegas’ Sphere, beginning on October 1, promising a busy and electrifying year ahead for the legendary frontman.