James Hetfield is officially engaged after pulling off a memorable underwater proposal to his girlfriend, Adriana Gillett.
The engagement was revealed on Sunday, March 15 through the official Instagram account of Metallica, which shared a photo capturing the moment the rock legend popped the question beneath the ocean’s surface.
All About the Proposal
In the image, Hetfield, 62, and Gillett can be seen wearing scuba gear while swimming underwater.
The musician holds up a handwritten sign asking the big question: “Adriana Gillett will you marry me?”
Gillett, meanwhile, is shown holding a small ring box while giving a thumbs-up toward the camera — confirming she happily accepted the proposal.
“She said yes!” the band wrote in the caption announcing the news to fans.
Gillett later shared more details about the unforgettable moment on her own social media page.
Alongside the same photo, she also posted a close-up image of a whale shark, revealing that the proposal took place during a special birthday trip.
“The BEST birthday trip surprise,” she wrote. “Swimming with whale sharks on Friday the 13th with the most unique, special, and romantic proposal a Pisces could ever imagine.”
She added a poetic reflection on their relationship, writing, “In a sea full of fish, we caught each other.”
The couple remains fairly private, but Gillett does share sweet moments from their relationship to social media at times.
Friends and Fans Celebrate the News
The post quickly drew congratulatory messages from friends and fans.
Photographer Lee Jeffries, who has previously worked with Metallica, was quick to share a heartwarming message about the couple.
“I’ve witnessed the beautiful connection you share, and it’s something truly real,” he wrote. “Built on depth, understanding, and the experiences of lives already richly lived.”
He added that the couple’s bond feels especially meaningful because of the life experiences that shaped them both before meeting each other.
“The way you connect with each other is genuinely special,” Jeffries wrote before adding, “What a way to propose!”
One fan wrote, “I know a million hearts are breaking today. Stay strong ladies! Congrats to James and Addy!!”
Hetfield’s engagement marks a new chapter in his personal life following the end of his previous marriage.
The musician was previously married to Francesca Hetfield.
The couple tied the knot in 1997 before announcing their divorce in 2022 after more than two decades together.
During their marriage, they welcomed three children: daughters Cali Hetfield and Marcella Hetfield, as well as son Castor Hetfield.
