As of January 2026, Steven Bartlett is not yet married, but he is officially engaged to his long-term partner, Melanie Vaz Lopes. The Diary of a CEO host and Dragons’ Den star proposed to the French-Portuguese wellness entrepreneur on Christmas Day 2025 during a romantic holiday in Morocco. Bartlett confirmed the news publicly in January 2026, revealing that he had spent years secretly planning the proposal, even saving engagement ring designs from Melanie’s Pinterest boards for over three years. The couple’s journey has been one of significant transformation, moving from a brief split in 2017 caused by Bartlett’s “tunnel vision” for business to a deep, committed partnership that he now describes as his “greatest achievement.”
Who is Melanie Vaz Lopes?
Biography and Background
Melanie Vaz Lopes is a successful French-Portuguese entrepreneur, yoga instructor, and wellness influencer born in Bordeaux, France.
- Entrepreneurial Drive: She is the founder of Bali Breathwork, a company that offers global retreats, workshops, and ceremonies focusing on ancient wisdom and modern science.
- Digital Presence: Melanie has cultivated a following of over 140,000 on Instagram, where she shares insights into holistic living, plant-based nutrition, and fitness.
Career and Accomplishments
Melanie is an author and business owner in her own right, independent of Bartlett’s media empire.
- Published Works: She has released a raw and vegan recipe book as well as a popular fitness manual titled Booty Academy.
- Wellness Expertise: As a reiki master and breathwork specialist, she has spent years traveling the world—particularly Bali—to master ancestral healing techniques.
The Timeline of Their Relationship
The Instagram Meet-Cute (2016)
The couple first connected on Instagram in 2016 after Melanie responded to a video Bartlett had posted about relationships.
- The First Date: They famously used a coin toss to decide who would make the first trip to visit the other, with Melanie eventually flying from Bordeaux to London.
- The Initial Split: After a year of dating, Bartlett ended the relationship in 2017, admitting he was unable to commit while building his first business, Social Chain.
The Bali Reconciliation (2022)
After nearly four years apart, Bartlett realized he had made a mistake and flew 22 hours to Bali to win Melanie back.
- The Grand Gesture: Bartlett confessed his love for her on stage during his Diary of a CEO Live tour in early 2022, with a gospel choir performing “I’ll Be Loving You Always.”
- A Shared Life: By 2024, the couple began living together in both London and Los Angeles, balancing their respective high-intensity careers with a shared focus on health and spirituality.
The 2025 Christmas Proposal
Planning the Perfect Ring
Bartlett revealed on the Hot Smart Rich podcast that he had been “plotting” the proposal for nearly four years.
- The Pinterest Strategy: He secretly monitored Melanie’s Pinterest boards and conversations with friends to identify her favorite diamond cuts.
- Custom Craftsmanship: The final ring, a dazzling oval-cut diamond with a diamond-encrusted band, was custom-made by a trusted jeweler in New York City.
The Moroccan Engagement
The proposal took place on December 25, 2025, in Morocco, under a custom-built hut designed to withstand a forecast thunderstorm.
- The Surprising Moment: Melanie thought she was simply meeting family for dinner before Bartlett stepped out to ask for her hand in marriage.
- Official Confirmation: A spokesperson for the couple confirmed the engagement on January 5, 2026, stating they are “soulmates and couldn’t be happier.”
Tips for Following Their Journey
- Official Sources: For authentic updates, follow @steven and @meloai on Instagram, where they occasionally share rare glimpses of their private life.
- Podcast Insights: Bartlett often discusses his personal growth and relationship philosophies in deeper segments of The Diary of a CEO.
How Melanie Influenced Steven’s Career
From “Tunnel Vision” to Holistic Success
Before their 2022 reconciliation, Bartlett was often criticized for promoting an “always-on” hustle culture that left little room for personal life.
- The Paradigm Shift: Melanie, as a wellness entrepreneur, introduced Steven to the importance of “radical rest” and somatic practices like breathwork.
- Result: This influence is visible in Bartlett’s recent investments and podcast episodes, which now frequently feature neuroscientists, therapists, and experts on human connection rather than just business titans.
The Impact on The Diary of a CEO
Melanie’s role in Steven’s life has directly influenced the tone of his media empire.
- Vulnerability as Strength: Steven has openly shared how his fear of commitment was a byproduct of his childhood, a realization he reached through his journey back to Melanie.
- A New Narrative: By integrating his relationship struggles into his public persona, Steven has attracted a broader demographic, moving beyond tech-focused audiences to include those interested in emotional intelligence and relationship psychology.
The Psychology of the “Bali Redemption”
Breaking the Commitment Phobia
The four-year gap between their 2017 split and 2022 reunion was a period of intense psychological reflection for Bartlett.
- The Realization: He has noted in various 2025 interviews that his “pile of money” felt empty without someone to share it with, leading to his impulsive, 22-hour flight to Bali to win her back.
- The Lesson: This “redemption” story has become a case study in his live shows for the importance of “course-correcting” when professional goals overshadow personal happiness.
Mutual Growth as Founders
Both Steven and Melanie operate as CEOs of their own respective brands, creating a unique psychological dynamic of “peer partnership.”
- Supporting Ambition: Unlike his earlier fears that a partner would “distract” him, Bartlett now credits Melanie’s independent success as a French-Portuguese influencer and founder as the anchor that allows him to thrive.
- Collaborative Wellness: The couple frequently engages in shared wellness rituals, which Steven claims has increased his cognitive performance and decision-making clarity in the boardroom.
2026 Wedding Predictions and Rumors
Potential Venues and Locations
While official details remain under wraps, the couple’s history points toward two major contenders for their 2026 nuptials.
- Morocco (The Proposal Site): Given the emotional significance of their engagement at a luxury resort in Morocco, many believe they will return there for a destination wedding.
- Bordeaux or Lisbon: To honor Melanie’s French-Portuguese heritage, a European vineyard wedding is also a high possibility, catering to their love for Mediterranean culture and aesthetics.
The “CEO Wedding” Aesthetic
Predictions for the ceremony suggest it will be a “high-tech yet spiritually grounded” event.
- The Guest List: Expected attendees include fellow Dragons’ Den stars like Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones, as well as high-profile podcast guests and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs.
- Sustainable Luxury: Following Melanie’s wellness philosophy, the wedding is rumored to feature an entirely plant-based menu and a “digital detox” policy for guests to ensure presence and connection.
Practical Information for 2026
Steven & Melanie’s Lifestyle Pillars
- Morning Routine: The couple is known for an early start (often 5:00 AM) involving exercise and meditation.
- Dietary Habits: Steven recently joked that Melanie will “live to 150” because she consumes 80% dark chocolate and green tea throughout the day.
- Travel: They split their time between a luxury residence in London and a base in Los Angeles to manage their global business interests.
How to Engage with Their Brands
- Bali Breathwork: Melanie’s workshops and retreats can be booked via her official website, focusing on ancient wisdom and modern science.
- The Diary of a CEO: Steven’s podcast continues to release new episodes every Monday and Thursday on YouTube and Spotify.
FAQs
When is Steven Bartlett’s wedding date?
The couple has not yet announced a specific date, but most predictions point toward a summer or autumn 2026 ceremony.
How did Melanie change Steven’s views on work?
She taught him that empathy and rest are not weaknesses but essential components of high-performance leadership.
Will the wedding be televised?
It is highly unlikely; despite his public career, Steven and Melanie have traditionally kept their most intimate moments private and away from cameras.
Does Melanie appear on Dragons’ Den?
No, she is not a member of the show, although she is often seen supporting Steven behind the scenes at filming events.
What is “Bali Breathwork”?
It is the wellness company founded by Melanie Vaz Lopes that specializes in meditative breathing techniques to improve mental and physical health.
What was Steven’s “grand gesture” in 2022?
He flew 22 hours to Bali with no guarantee of success, eventually declaring his love for her on stage at the London Palladium with a gospel choir.
Is Melanie Portuguese or French?
She is French-Portuguese, originally hailing from Bordeaux, France, but maintaining strong cultural ties to Portugal.
Do they plan on having a family?
Steven has mentioned in several 2025/26 podcast segments that he is “excited for the next chapter” and has always wanted a large family.
What ring did Steven give Melanie?
It is a custom oval-cut diamond on a diamond-encrusted band, which he spent years planning using her Pinterest saves.
How can I see photos of the engagement?
Steven and Melanie shared a limited selection of engagement photos from Morocco on their respective Instagram accounts in January 2026.
Is Steven Bartlett married?
As of late January 2026, he is engaged but not yet married. He proposed to Melanie Vaz Lopes in December 2025.
Who is Melanie Vaz Lopes?
She is a French-Portuguese wellness entrepreneur, yoga instructor, and the founder of Bali Breathwork.
How did Steven Bartlett and Melanie meet?
They met on Instagram in 2016 after Melanie responded to one of Steven’s videos.
Why did Steven and Melanie split up?
They split in 2017 because Steven felt his “tunnel vision” for his business prevented him from being a present partner.
How long have they been together?
While they met in 2016, they spent several years apart before reconciling in February 2022, marking nearly seven years of total dating time.
What does Steven Bartlett’s fiancée do for a living?
Melanie runs a well-being business called Bali Breathwork, hosts retreats, and is a published author of vegan cookbooks and fitness guides.
Where was the engagement ring made?
The ring was custom-made by a jeweler in New York City based on designs Steven had saved from Melanie’s Pinterest.
Do Steven Bartlett and Melanie have children?
As of early 2026, the couple does not have any children, though Steven has previously expressed a desire to have four to six children in the future.
Is Melanie Vaz Lopes on the Diary of a CEO?
She has appeared in behind-the-scenes vlogs and has been the subject of several emotional segments where Steven discusses love and ambition.
What is Melanie’s “live until 150” diet?
Steven jokingly mentioned on his podcast that Melanie might live to 150 because her diet consists largely of 80% dark chocolate and green tea.
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