Maria Thattil has praised ‘love of her life’ Moana Hope as she gave a rare insight into their relationship.
The ex-Miss Universe Australia, 31, started dating AFLW star Moana, 36, late last year and the couple have been going strong ever since, even teasing an engagement.
They generally keep their romance relatively under wraps, but Maria has shared some rare comments about her friend Jess Rowe’s big talk show podcast.
She said host Jessica Rowe said her relationship with Moana is different from previous romances and described her as the “love of her life.”
“It’s amazing and challenging, and it’s making me grow in ways I’ve never experienced,” said Maria, who recently made her Neighbors debut as Amira Devkar.
Maria Thattil has spoken highly of ‘love of her life’ Moana Hope as she gave rare insight into their relationship
‘In the past, I thought that if I wanted a career, to be the person I thought I should be, I had to sacrifice everything else. But here I am with real love in my life. With someone I love very much.’
Maria, who made her red carpet debut with Moana in September, said she feels content in their relationship and discussed how they navigate life with Moana’s children.
Sportswoman Moana shares children Svea, three, and Ahi, one, with her ex-wife Isabella Carlstrom, who she split from in June last year after six years together.
About their family dynamic, Maria explained, “She is [Moana’s] I have children, and it’s this whole other side of me that I didn’t know.
The ex-Miss Universe Australia, 31, started dating AFLW star Moana, 36, late last year and the couple have been going strong ever since, even teasing an engagement
“And I’m learning now and I’m on that journey. I can have all these things, and it doesn’t take anything away.
‘Because I deserve it. I deserve love and I am enough. And it’s okay that I make room for this.’
Although the couple often appears in public together, they rarely comment on their budding romance.
In March, Maria said that while she is open about her romance with Moana, there are some things she prefers to keep private to protect her growing relationship.
Maria has now revealed that her relationship with Moana is different from previous romances and described her as the ‘love of her life’
“Something I’ve learned is the importance of protecting certain parts of your life and keeping something sacred,” she told Stellar Magazine.
“In this digital world we live in, strangers feel entitled to you; sometimes they can have parasocial relationships where they feel entitled to ask me things.
‘I always think to myself, these people would never walk up to you on the street and just ask you these things to your face. And I feel like I don’t want that unnecessary pressure.”
The couple has been dating for several months and has already moved in together as they go from strength to strength.
Things have been getting serious between them for a while now, and Moana hinted in November that she will propose to Maria soon.
The couple has been dating for several months and has already moved in together as they go from strength to strength
Sportswoman Moana shares children Svea, three, and Ahi, one, with ex-wife Isabella Carlstrom, who she split from in June last year after six years together
Post a series of photos Taking to Instagram of the couple looking glamorous for their night out at the Marie Claire Women of the Year Awards, the couple appeared to be in love.
In one photo, Moana even appeared to be about to do just that sit on bent knee and ask the question.
In the comments section, fans noted the romantic vibe of the images, with one person asking: “How do I get tickets to the wedding?”
Moana quickly responded to the curious follower, “Watch this space!”, along with a laughing emoji.