James Hetfield is officially engaged — and the way he proposed is something fans didn’t see coming.
The 62-year-old Metallica frontman is set to marry his girlfriend Adriana Gillett, who is 16 years younger than him. The news was revealed by Adriana herself in a post on social media, where she shared details of the unforgettable moment.
Instead of a traditional proposal, Hetfield chose something far more daring. He popped the question during a snorkeling trip — in waters filled with sharks. The unusual setting instantly turned the engagement into a story people couldn’t stop talking about.
According to Adriana, the proposal happened while they were swimming with whale sharks on Friday the 13th, making the moment even more memorable. In the underwater photo she shared, she can be seen holding a ring while Hetfield presents a handwritten note asking, “Adriana, will you marry me?”
She described it as the “most unique, special, and romantic” surprise she could have imagined, turning what could have been a risky environment into a deeply personal and emotional moment.
This will be Hetfield’s second marriage. He was previously married to Francesca Hetfield, with whom he shares three children, before they separated in 2022.
The engagement comes just ahead of Metallica’s upcoming European tour, set to begin in May — meaning the rock star has a major new chapter both personally and professionally.
