Stephanie Rice announces huge personal news on Instagram

The ex-swimmer, who has been keeping her Instagram followers updated since her move to Dubai, revealed some huge personal news.

Swimming great Stephanie Rice has taken to Instagram to announce some more major personal news.

Rice, 36, who moved to Dubai in December last year, has regularly used the social media platform to keep her followers updated, including a number of relationship updates.

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On Thursday evening (AEST), Rice used the platform to reveal she has become engaged to pastor and father of three, Mark Lassey.

“Here’s to fresh starts and second chances,” Rice wrote in the post. ”Yes to a lifetime with you.”

The past is accompanied by a series of photos, with Lassey opening a small box presumably with the engagement ring, Rice wearing the ring and the happy couple kissing.

It all appears to have taken place at the Atlantis Royal hotel in Dubai, which is tagged in the post that has close to 7,000 likes around an hour after it was published.

There were also a number of congratulatory comments.

Stephanie Rice and partner Mark Lassey are engaged. Photos: Instagram

One wrote: “There is so much love and joy in these photos. Congratulations to you both on your engagement.”

Another wrote: “Such wonderful news! Congratulations!!!! God Bless you both & your future together.”

A third added: “Oh my gosh!!!! Congratulations guys! This is huge! So so happy.”

In May this year, Rice released a video on Instagram detailing the end of her “really challenging relationship” with ex-boyfriend Dane Christison.

In a video titled “Life Update” to her 147,000 followers on the platform, Rice was intent on explaining why she hadn’t kept them up to date on her new life in Dubai.

Rice in a low moment talking about her break-up.

Rice had a brief relationship with Dane Christison.

Rice had announced her move to Dubai in December 2023, describing it as a fresh start in a tearful video from a first-class flight.

She later revealed she was in a new relationship with Christison, whom she met through a church connection.

She shared snippets of their life together, including videos of the couple embracing and on holiday.

That same month, Rice also posted a series of videos detailing her swift transition to born-again Christianity.

In the video, Rice began by explaining the journey she had been on since the move to Dubai.

“Oh my gosh you guys, I’m so excited,” she said.

Rice during her swimming career. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

“I can’t even believe it’s been six months since I picked up my life in Australia, moved to Dubai and started what feels like all over again.

“But it kind of feels like not all over again. A bit more like the next season part two and it’s been the most amazing six months, wow.

“It’s been intense, it’s been really deeply healing.”

Rice then detailed the difficulties of the break-up with Christison and why she had been somewhat absent on social media

The former swimmer, who won three Olympic gold medals during her career, revealed her relationship with Massey in early July this year, five months after it had begun.