| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Oghenemaro Miles Itoje |
| Date of Birth | October 28, 1994 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 30 years |
| Nationality | British (of Nigerian descent) |
| Profession | Professional Rugby Union Player |
| Club Team | Saracens RFC |
| International Debut | 2016 (England) |
| Position | Lock / Flanker |
| Education | Studied Politics, SOAS, University of London |
| Fiancée | Mimi Fall (model, artist, aspiring chef) |
| Engagement Date | August 7, 2024 |
| Notable Relative | Cousin – Beno Obano (England prop, Bath Rugby) |
| Reference | www.ruck.co.uk/maro-itoje-engaged-to-chef-model-and-artist |
In addition to being an England defensive powerhouse, Maro Itoje has become one of the most calm and well-educated players in professional rugby over the last few seasons. His engagement to the incredibly gifted Mimi Fall, whose career includes modeling, fine art, and culinary exploration, is the most notable example of how he has managed to cultivate a deeply personal side of life despite his demanding schedule on the field.
Itoje has established himself as a key member of the Saracens and England team by combining charisma and reliability. He has played in more than 180 club matches and made three shortlists for World Rugby Player of the Year. Even though his tackles rock stadiums, his more subdued actions off the field, such as his well-thought-out proposal, reveal a more sophisticated side. He surprised Mimi with a ring at an aqua-safari resort close to Ada during a two-week trip to Nigeria, which was followed by a quick vacation to Ghana. The moment was lovingly documented on Instagram with the caption, “Mrs I to be,” and it quickly became a topic of conversation in the fashion and sports communities.
Mimi Fall has developed a career that embodies style and edge thanks to her incredibly diverse professional endeavors. Her range of artistic expression is particularly striking, from the kitchen to the catwalk. She has been creating Afro-European cuisine as a budding chef that honors her heritage while showcasing her creative instincts. Her identity as more than just a “rugby girlfriend” has been strengthened by the growing attention her visual artworks—which are frequently influenced by West African symbolism—have received on social media.
Mimi has provided insights into their wedding planning process and engagement party through thoughtful Instagram storytelling. Due in large part to Maro’s ongoing rugby commitments, no official date has been set; however, insiders speculate that the event may combine traditional Nigerian traditions with modern design. Their relationship—firmly rooted in culture but unapologetically modern—is reflected in that fusion.
Itoje and Mimi became friends while working together on modeling. They met during a shoot, apparently by coincidence, resembling the serendipitous encounter you might anticipate in a Nicholas Sparks adaptation. Mimi has remained Itoje’s most important co-star, even though he once posed for Tatler with Lady Amelia Windsor. With every public appearance—from rugby box seats to cultural galas—their bond has gotten stronger, strengthening a sense of stability that is especially uncommon in relationships between elite athletes.
Mimi has grown to be a well-known figure among England supporters, frequently seen in the crowd grinning subtly but sincerely and occasionally raising a glass during Saracen victories. She is particularly uplifting—not ostentatious, but encouraging in the kind of subtly enduring manner that contemporary power couples are increasingly demonstrating. Theirs feels very grounded compared to performative Instagram partnerships.
Family has always been important to Itoje. His cousin Beno Obano was born three days apart from him, and the two have accompanied each other throughout their rugby careers. Beno, a prop for Bath and a former England player, has more in common with Maro than just genetics; their shared experiences as Black athletes navigating a traditionally white sport have created a particularly strong bond. Both have utilized their platforms in recent years to promote diversity in rugby, most notably through Beno’s highly acclaimed Amazon Prime documentary Everybody’s Game.
The cousins have transformed their platforms into tools for societal insight by drawing on their personal narratives. Maro publicly praised Beno for producing a documentary, describing it as “an important one that looks to push rugby to go further and wider,” and for doing so on his first attempt. Both fans and critics responded favorably to their message, which was conveyed with sincerity and purpose. This goes beyond sports. It’s about redefining what it means to be elite, being visible, and embracing diversity.
On Maro’s podcast Pearl Conversations, they discussed how rugby never seemed like a possibility when they were younger. Maro remembered their Nigerian home and said, “If there’s any sport at all, it’s football. If not, it’s books.” It demonstrates the erratic nature of talent when combined with opportunity and unrelenting effort that rugby eventually found them both and that they flourished.
Itoje has emerged as a cultural icon for a new breed of athlete in recent years, one who is equally at ease discussing politics as he is performing a flawless lineout lift. This story is furthered by his engagement to Mimi. She enhances his image rather than merely adding to it. Their love story reflects a larger trend in contemporary relationships: alliances based on respect for one another rather than merely admiration.
Itoje has established a multifaceted presence that goes well beyond sports thanks to his relationship with Mimi and his advocacy work with Beno. The way that this new generation of athletes is actively rewriting stereotypes and defying the antiquated dichotomy of emotional intelligence versus physical strength is especially creative. He is demonstrating that listening, empathy, and self-awareness are all components of leadership.
Itoje is remarkably grounded, focused, and disciplined despite England’s struggles in the highly competitive Six Nations season and rumors about the couple’s wedding date. His ability to strike a balance between athleticism and artistry, heritage and forward-thinking, is incredibly effective. By his side, Mimi contributes to that rhythm as a motivating factor rather than a decorative element.
