The Uncaged Love Story: 5 Facts About Paul De Gelder’s Wife, Rhiannon, And Their 2023 Wedding

The personal life of shark attack survivor and motivational speaker Paul de Gelder has been a journey of resilience, transformation, and finding an unconventional path to love. As of December 2025, the Australian veteran is happily married to the woman who shares his deep passion for the natural world, a partner whose own career is dedicated to advocacy and conservation.

The latest and most significant update in Paul de Gelder's life is his marriage to Rhiannon, an accomplished animal rights activist and content creator. Their relationship, which went Instagram official in late 2021, culminated in a beautiful, intimate wedding ceremony that took place in September 2023, solidifying a powerful union built on shared values and mutual respect for the ocean and its inhabitants.

Paul de Gelder: A Profile in Resilience and Advocacy

Before delving into the details of his married life, it is essential to understand the extraordinary journey of Paul de Gelder, a man who epitomizes the mantra "Improvise, Adapt, Overcome." His life story is a testament to turning profound trauma into powerful triumph.

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Full Biography and Profile:

• Name: Paul de Gelder
• Date of Birth: 1977 (Age 48 as of 2025)
• Nationality: Australian
• Early Career: Former Australian Army Airborne Paratrooper.
• Elite Military Service: Australian Navy Clearance Diver (CD). This role involves high-risk tasks such as bomb disposal, mine clearance, and underwater search and recovery.
• Shark Attack Incident: On February 11, 2009, while conducting a Navy trial dive in Sydney Harbour, de Gelder was attacked by a bull shark. He lost his right arm and right leg in the attack.
• Post-Attack Career: Despite his injuries, he continued to serve as an instructor to elite Navy divers until his full-time departure in August 2012.
• Current Professions: Global Motivational Speaker, Best-Selling Author, Television Presenter, and Ocean Conservation Advocate.
• Notable Media Work: Host of numerous Discovery Channel *Shark Week* documentaries, including *Shark Week: Deeper Blue* and *Great White Fight*. He has also appeared on the Facebook series *Bucket List* with Will Smith.
• Published Works: His autobiography, *Uncaged*, details his life from a troubled youth to his military career and recovery.
• Current Residence: Splits time between Australia and the United States, often based in California for his media and speaking engagements.

Paul’s transition from an elite military operator to a passionate conservationist is what truly sets him apart. He uses his platform not to demonize the creature that attacked him, but to advocate for shark protection, viewing the attack as a workplace accident rather than a malicious act.

The Wedding of Paul and Rhiannon: A September 2023 Celebration

The relationship between Paul de Gelder and Rhiannon is a powerful example of two individuals with aligned life missions finding love. Their shared devotion to animal welfare and the environment forms the bedrock of their partnership.

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The couple made their relationship public in December 2021, often sharing glimpses of their life together, which is frequently spent near the ocean or advocating for various causes. The culmination of their courtship was their marriage, which took place on September 6, 2023.

Rhiannon later shared multiple pictures from the wedding ceremony, which appeared to be a beautiful, intimate affair. The event marked a new chapter for the shark attack survivor, grounding his life of global travel and intense advocacy in a stable, loving relationship. The wedding confirmed their status as a married couple, putting to rest any older rumors about previous partners.

Their life together is a continuous cycle of travel, speaking engagements, and hands-on conservation work. Rhiannon is often seen supporting Paul at various events, from keynote speaking engagements focused on resilience and mindset to his numerous appearances on Discovery's Shark Week programming. They are a true power couple in the world of marine advocacy and inspirational speaking.

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Rhiannon De Gelder: The Animal Rights Activist and Content Creator

Paul de Gelder’s wife, Rhiannon, is a force in her own right, bringing a wealth of passion and professional experience to their shared life. Her background is not in the military or extreme exploration, but in the equally challenging world of animal rights advocacy and digital content creation.

1. A Dedicated Animal Rights Activist

Rhiannon is widely known for her work as an animal rights activist. This professional focus aligns perfectly with Paul’s post-attack mission of ocean conservation and protecting marine life, especially sharks. Her advocacy work often focuses on ethical treatment, responsible pet ownership, and raising awareness for animal welfare issues on a broader scale. Her dedication to this cause provides a powerful thematic link to Paul's own journey from nearly being killed by a shark to becoming one of its most outspoken defenders.

2. A Talented Content Creator

In the modern media landscape, Rhiannon utilizes her skills as a content creator to amplify her message. She uses social media platforms to share her advocacy, promote ethical living, and document her life with Paul. This digital presence allows them to reach a massive audience, combining Paul's incredible story of trauma to triumph with Rhiannon's consistent message of compassion and conservation.

3. The Shared Mission of Conservation

What makes the union of Paul and Rhiannon so compelling is their shared commitment to the planet. Paul’s work as a shark advocate and motivational speaker often centers on the need to protect the oceans. Rhiannon’s animal welfare focus broadens this scope, creating a unified front for environmental and ethical issues. Their partnership demonstrates that a shared purpose is a powerful foundation for a lasting relationship.

The Enduring Message: Resilience, Love, and the Ocean

The story of Paul de Gelder and his wife, Rhiannon, is more than just a celebrity romance; it’s a narrative about finding strength and purpose after life-altering adversity. Paul’s journey from being an Able Seaman CD who lost two limbs to becoming a global voice for marine conservation is universally inspiring. His ability to leave the full-time Navy service in 2012 and pivot into a career as an author and speaker, guided by the principle of resilience, is what draws millions to his story.

Rhiannon’s presence in his life, solidified by their 2023 marriage, adds a layer of depth and shared mission. She is not just a supportive partner, but an active participant in the advocacy work that now defines Paul's life. Together, they form a formidable team, using their platforms to educate the public on the importance of shark protection, environmental stewardship, and the incredible power of the human spirit to overcome any obstacle.

Their public appearances, social media presence, and ongoing projects—including Paul’s continued work with Discovery Channel and his motivational speaking circuit—all point to a couple dedicated to making a positive impact. The Uncaged life that Paul writes about is now a shared one, built on love, mutual respect, and a deep, abiding commitment to the world's wildlife.