Jon Gosselin is now engaged, and while fans have congratulated him, some hope his new fiancée will be a better fit than his ex-wife.
On November 28, 2024, Jon Gosselin, his fiancée, and a publication announced his engagement. The news was shared on Instagram, featuring photos of the “Jon & Kate Plus 8” reality star kissing his fiancée and showing off her engagement ring.
A close-up image of the ring on Stephanie’s hand was also shared. According to the publication, Jon proposed to Stephanie Lebo on November 23, 2024, at her favorite restaurant, Willoughby’s on Park, in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.
After enjoying dinner with their parents, the former reality star proposed in a private dining area, going down on one knee. Stephanie’s father was overjoyed and emotional, whispering to his daughter, “You don’t know how long I waited for this day for you, and there was a time where [sic] I thought it was never going to happen for you.”
Jon Gosselin and Stephanie Lebo show her engagement ring in a post dated November 28, 2024 | Source: Instagram/__stephaniiemariie__ | jongosselin1
He continued, “I’m so very happy for you and Jon.” He also offered some wisdom: “My best advice is never stop being in love. Love comes first.” The newly engaged couple celebrated afterward with close friends.
According to the publication, the couple met in late August 2021 at a backyard barbecue. Within a few weeks, the pair became an official couple but kept their relationship private for two years.
This past summer, they celebrated their third anniversary. Fans were excited for Jon, with many referencing his ex-wife, Kate Gosselin. One person wrote, “Good for him. He deserves a nice loving partner after being married to Kate [Gosselin].”
Another commented, “Pretty sure his ex would be bitter and salty that he’s living a happy life.” An Instagram user remarked, “What an upgrade!” while another agreed, saying he’d “Upgraded.” One individual added, “Happy for him. Still remember how awful Kate was to him on TV.”
In the same vein, another fan wrote, “I bet she doesn’t whine about his breathing. So glad he’s free from the clutches of that vile Sith Lord Darth Kate.” The comments continued, with one person saying, “I just hope she’s nicer than Kate!!”
Someone else noted, “Katelyn will be so [expletive] he got a younger GF.[sic]” On Facebook, one person stated, “Wish him the best. He deserves it, after surviving Kate.“
“After that Monster that was Kate, I’m surprised he’d do it again,” someone remarked, while another said, “So happy for him!!! Kate was and is crazy!!!😅” However, not everyone approved of the engagement.
Shifting the focus to Stephanie, another user stated, “She’s actually pretty; hope the insides match the outsides.” One individual commented, “Looks like his daughter.” Agreeing, a Facebook user added, “She’s looks like one of his kids! [sic]” Similarly, a netizen said, “I thought it was his daughter—oh well, congrats!!”
Kate and Jon Gosselin at Discovery Upfront on April 2, 2009, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Jon is best known for starring in the reality show “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” which documented his marriage and life with eight children.
The family rose to fame in 2007 when their reality show premiered and aired for 11 seasons. Jon and Kate divorced in 2009 before the former became the primary guardian of his daughter and son, Hannah and Collin Gosselin until they turned 18.
Hannah Gosselin being interviewed in a post uploaded on October 9, 2024 | Source: YouTube/PIX11 News
It has been 17 years since the former reality star starred on the show, and in October 2024, he and Hannah were interviewed. During the interview, Jon opened up about his relationship with his children.
He revealed that he had sole legal and physical custody of his now 20-year-old daughter starting when she was 14. The star sadly admitted that his other six children don’t speak to him, and he has no relationship with them.
Jon Gosselin being interviewed in a post uploaded on October 9, 2024 | Source: YouTube/PIX11 News
However, 23-year-old twins Mady and Cara, and 20-year-old sextuplets Leah, Joel, Alexis, and Aeden, still keep in touch with Hannah. Their father explained that he has extended olive branches over the years, leaving space for his children to reach out to him.
He expressed his love for his children, wishing them the best in life and good health. Jon stated that he doesn’t want them divided between him and Kate, which is why he has chosen to wait until they move out of their mother’s house to build a bond.
The reality star, who works as a DJ, also hopes to mend fences with his other children. He shared that he hopes 20-year-old Collin will heal his estranged relationship with his siblings too, saying, “Collin will hopefully repair that [relationship].”
Although the 47-year-old noted that healing is a two-way street, he added, “He’s offered the olive branch, so hopefully the olive branch will be returned.” Jon is hopeful that now that he and Kate are no longer embroiled in court battles, his relationship with his children can be restored.
In August 2023, Hannah and Collin reached a great milestone when they graduated from high school. Their proud father uploaded social media pictures of them, writing, “Still can’t believe how fast they grow.”
One image showed the pair dressed in their togas while their father highlighted how proud he was of them. Hannah and Collin also celebrated their achievement in June with Instagram posts.
In his post, Collin revealed that soon after graduation he was going to visit Parris Island. He also shared that he will be studying Mechanical and Industrial Engineering in college.
