At 51, Spanish style icon Nieves Álvarez is preparing to walk down the aisle once again. After four years of keeping their relationship largely out of the spotlight, she has become engaged to Lebanese entrepreneur Bill Saad. News of the upcoming celebration, planned for next year, came as a complete surprise to the model’s fans. The proposal was utterly unexpected—made during a trip together to the Middle East. Inside an ancient temple, her beloved knelt down and popped the question. According to Nieves herself, it was a moment of incredible emotion, and of course, she said yes. Since there was no ring at hand, the couple wove symbolic ornaments from blades of grass right outside the sanctuary.
This event will mark a second time at the altar for both of them. Bill Saad has two children from a previous relationship, while Nieves is raising three children from her marriage to Italian photographer Marco Severini. Their new family promises to become a large and close-knit clan. Now, nearly a decade after her divorce, she is once again happy and ready for a new chapter in life.
The model’s first wedding, held in April 2002, was truly a fairy-tale event. The couple chose the exotic island of Bali in Indonesia for the ceremony, inviting only their closest friends. The bride dazzled in an original two-piece outfit made of silk muslin. The design was by Emanuel Ungaro, and it was brought to life by Giambattista Valli. An interesting detail was that the ceremony was conducted by a Spanish Catholic priest rather than a local clergyman, as might have been expected. Among the guests were top runway stars: Veronica Blume, Laura Ponte, Esther Cañadas, and Martina Klein. Socialite Naty Abascal also attended to congratulate the newlyweds, along with her sons Rafael and Luis Medina.
The long love story of Álvarez and Severini, who met back in 1994, ended in 2015. After rumors and speculation in the media, the couple released a joint statement announcing their divorce. They emphasized that the decision was mutual and made with great respect for each other after more than twenty years together, including twelve years of marriage. Their main priority was the well-being of their children and protecting their private lives from unnecessary attention.
