Internationally acclaimed model Eugon McNeil from Kraaifontein is officially off the market after his marriage to Kailey Rishovd from Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday 15 April in Los Angeles.
“One look is all it took in 2017 to surrender and one date led to forever when I met the love of my life. We met at Mzoli’s in Gugulethu in March, while she was studying here from Los Angeles and I was visiting family before returning to work in Milan.
“At Mzoli’s, Kailey was with a group of international students and I was with some friends. We saw each other and kept doing the typical “catch each other’s eye and look away” thing.
“Once I had worked up the courage to go say hi, I looked around and Kailey had left. So, I found a friend I recognised her with that had stayed behind and I got her number.
“After a few WhatsApp exchanges, we met up in town later that day at a place I believe used to be called the Social Cafe. We had jalapeño poppers to eat and I took her up to Signal Hill to watch the sunset.
“After that day, we parted ways and I had to leave for work soon after. We fell out of touch but reconnected in 2020 in New York once I realized she lived there studying for her Masters degree while I was still living there for modelling. We’ve been together ever since and are now married,” says an excited new husband from New York.”
Popped the big question
Kailey met his family over WhatsApp video call many times throughout their relationship, but officially met them in person in November 2022 once they could get back to Cape Town, due to covid-restrictions.
“I met Kailey’s family in 2021 on several occasions. I popped the question at Eden on the Bay in Cape Town after a long day at Babylonstoren vineyard in Simondium and taking Kailey to get her nails done, which kind of gave me away.
“Once we got to Eden we walked the beach and I found my moment as the sun set. The beach, in general, is very special to us. It was incredible having my family with us when we exchanged our vows. It was my family’s first time to the US so we had a blast showing them New York and LA, but it was just such a blessing to have them there as I married my love.
“My Mom Edwina Ontong gave us a special message on our wedding day. She asked us to have God in our lives and not to forget that happy wife means happy life. My wife has her Master’s degree in Public Health. She just recently left a role in healthcare private equity advisory and is seeking something a bit closer to her passion,” McNeil says.
Values, goals and beliefs
“I just finished my degree in small business and entrepreneurship and am graduating later this month. Next I’ll go for my Bachelors. I am looking forward to commuting between the States, South Africa and Hawaii, but is wherever my wife is.
“Kailey is my best friend and having time with her is all I want. She also cooks such delicious food – she always knows when to feed me and it’s always so good! I do recommend marriage. Our values, goals and beliefs align so much so we really look forward to building and enjoying life together. She is also my soul mate, and my advice to all the single men and women is that you’ll know you’ve found your soul mate when you are able to pour your heart out to another,” McNeil says.
