Olivia Culpo Says It’s A ‘Thrill’ To Be Engaged To Christian McCaffrey

Model Olivia Culpo is now engaged to Christian McCaffrey and she couldn’t be happier!

The 30-year-old model was recently spotted at Coachella with her older sister Aurora Culpo, and younger sister, Sophia Culpo. While she was there, she said that she is “excited” to get married” and described becoming engaged as “the thrill of a lifetime.”

While discussing the model’s partnership with evian Sparkling Carbonated Water at Coachella, PEOPLE asked Olivia about her recent engagement, which took place earlier this month on April 2.

“I’m so excited,” she told the magazine. “It’s been the thrill of a lifetime, honestly.” The popular model and the San Francisco 49ers running back first sparked rumors of their involvement in May 2019. A few months later, they were spotted taking a vacation in Mexico together.

Fans began to notice that the pageant queen started showing up to more and more Carolina Panthers football games when Christian was playing for the team. In November 2019, they started posting about each other on Instagram and made it clear that they were a couple on Valentine’s Day the following year.

In July 2020, the two actually adopted a puppy together during the COVID-19 lockdown that Olivia named “Oliver Sprinkles.” While in lockdown, McCaffrey actually photographed her spread for Vogue India and took to Instagram to praise her Sports Illustrated cover – all in the same month!

In March 2021, the couple really got serious when Christian revealed that he had named his boat after her. The two Culpo sisters – Olivia and Sophia – then took a trip on the boat with their boyfriends – Christian and Braxton Berrios. Unfortunately, Sophia and Braxton have since gone their separate ways.

In March 2022, the couple was photographed together on the red carpet at the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party. In June 2022, Olivia shared a sweet tribute to celebrate the couple’s three-year anniversary on Instagram.

"Three years ago I was not looking for a relationship. When my best friends Kristen & Tyler called me and asked if I would be open to meeting their friend Christian I was apprehensive,” she wrote in the caption. “I was worried it would be the same old story all over again and that all guys were the same. While my expectations were low, I knew I couldn't close myself off and make decisions based on fear.”

"I love this photo (the 2nd pic) that Kristen snapped when he wasn't looking, waiting to meet me for the first time, so sweet, vulnerable, and humble (and with the flowers, I can't) I'm so grateful for the voice inside me that told me to give love another chance,” she continued. “The yin to my yang, you are the epitome of strength through humility. Thank you for being my rock and restoring my faith in love. You are everything I ever dreamed of and more."

In October 2022, Christian McCaffrey was traded from the Carolina Panthers to the San Francisco 49ers after playing with the Panthers for more than five years. In an Instagram post "This city stole my heart and I'll never forget the memories and people who made the last 3+ years so special," she captioned the post. "I'll miss you all so much and you'll always hold a special place in my heart."

"I'm so proud of you Christian! Seeing your light shine is one of my favorite things in life and I'm beyond excited and grateful for this next chapter in Cali, the place I've called home for the last 8 years,” she continued. “Niners Nation, let's go!"

In November 2022, the former Miss Universe told Entertainment Tonight why she broke her “no athletes” rule to date Christian.

"He's just the best, I feel like he is really everything that I could ever ask for," she told the outlet. "So I never have to worry about anything. I think that was the reason why I didn't want to date an athlete, no offense, because there is a reputation there."

"He just comes from a great family. We have a lot in common in that respect,” she added. “I feel like you can really tell who a person is by the people that raise them, and I just love his parents so much. They have a great relationship."

However, that doesn’t mean the two are ready to settle down just yet. On an episode of her TV show, “The Culpo Sisters,” she became emotional when talking about the possibility of having children.

"I've talked to Christian and we're on the same page about having kids, we both want to have kids, but the timeline of that is something that is not in the foreseeable future," she said, as reported by PEOPLE. "He is completely and totally focused on football and he should be. He's not ready to have kids. It's not really an option."

"I always thought that by 30 I'd be married and have kids. I'm definitely the kind of person who likes to have a plan,” she added. “Right now, I have no plan because I have so many question marks, so I'm freaking out. ... It's definitely very, very stressful."

Although she may not be married by 30, at least she's engaged!