"I love you endlessly": Usain Bolt proposes to Kasi Bennett on his 40th birthday
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- Usain Bolt got down on one knee during his 40th birthday celebration at a rooftop venue in Kingston, Jamaica
- Kasi Bennett had shared a heartfelt birthday tribute to Bolt just hours before the surprise proposal took place
- The couple, who share three children together, had been together since 2013 before Bolt finally popped the question
Usain Bolt has taken one of the biggest leaps of his life off the track, proposing to his longtime partner Kasi Bennett on Friday, August 21.
The sprint legend chose his 40th birthday celebration as the setting, dropping to one knee at the One Belmont rooftop venue in Kingston, Jamaica, in front of close family and friends.
What we know about Bolt's engagement to Kasi Bennett
Bolt was dressed in a tan checkered suit for the occasion, and by all accounts, Bennett was both visibly emotional and caught completely off guard.
The ring Bolt presented is no ordinary piece. It features a 5-carat pear-shaped diamond as the centrepiece, surrounded by smaller diamonds set in a cushion-style band, making it a striking and significant choice for the moment.
No wedding date or venue has been announced yet, with the engagement still only days old.
What made the evening even more poignant was that Bennett had posted a deeply personal birthday tribute to Bolt on Instagram just hours before he proposed.
In it, she described him as her "person," her "love," her "home," and her "forever," and praised his role as a father.
"Happy 40th birthday to my person. My love, my home, my forever. You are an incredible dad and truly the centre of our little world. Your legacy is extraordinary, but the man behind it will always be what makes me proudest. So grateful to do this fun life we've created with you. I love you endlessly, baby," Bennett wrote.
Little did she know, Bolt had already planned to make her words official before the night was over.
How long have Kasi Bennett and Usain Bolt been together?
Bolt and Bennett first began dating in 2013, though Bolt kept things relatively low-key in the early years, referring to her fondly as his "First Lady."
Their relationship only entered the public eye during the 2016 Rio Olympics, when Bennett was spotted cheering him on as he completed his historic "triple-triple" gold medal campaign.
The couple have since built a family together. Their daughter, Olympia Lightning Bolt, was born in May 2020, followed by twin sons Thunder Bolt and Saint Leo Bolt in June 2021.
Bolt has previously spoken about why he did not propose sooner, pointing to the influence of his parents' relationship.
They reportedly dated for roughly a decade before marrying, and that example helped shape his own thinking about the right time to commit.
See the post below:
Netizens celebrate
Here are some of the comments shared online:
iamchrismartin:
"Top G day. Blessings on blessings 🙏🏾"
eagle_brown_soars:
"OMG, his daughter walks just like him…. Looks like we may have a future Bolt JR."
vcampbellbrown:
"Happy Birthday @usainbolt 🎉🥳❤️🙏🏾"
mariefitzhenley:
"Happy birthday to a true genuine legend."
Are Charlene Ruto and Isaya Yunge planning a white wedding?
In romance news closer to home, TUKO.co.ke also highlighted facts about Charlene Ruto's recent engagement to Tanzanian fiancé Isaya Yunge, who shared a captivating video following their koito ceremony.
As excitement builds around their upcoming white wedding, the couple’s heartfelt expressions of love and commitment have captured widespread public attention, leaving fans eager for more updates.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.