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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Grace Hoffman

How Tom Hiddleston met Zawe Ashton and why they've kept their romance so secret

Acting superstar Tom Hiddleston revealed this week that he's a taken man after confirming his engagement to Zawe Ashton - but it's not been all glitz and glamour.

The pair hit headlines this week after confirming their engagement - despite previously vowing to keep his life away from the spotlight.

On Wednesday, the Marvel actor, 41, confirmed that he had got down on one knee to his beau - two years after being linked to the actress.

Zawe, 37, is also no stranger to the limelight as she's had a glamorous career herself as a Hollywood actress.

She has starred on-screen in a number of blockbuster films, including the likes of Fresh Meat, Not Safe for Work, Velvet Buzzsaw and Dreams of a Life, just to name a few.

Tom Hiddleston recently confirmed the couple's engagement (Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)
The couple met in 2019 (Startraks Photo/REX/Shutterstock)

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The Loki actor revealed that he was "very happy" when he confirmed his engagement to the actress with the Los Angeles Times after months of speculation.

During the candid interview, Tom confirmed that he is set to wed the beauty - but he kept tight lipped about their famously low-key romance, simply stating: 'I'm very happy".

The Avenger confirmed that he had proposed to his wife-to-be back in March - and made the announcement during an interview for new historical series The Essex Serpent - where the actor portrays Will Ransome.

News of the couple's engagement initially sparked in March - after a photo of the actress circulated online where she was wearing a glitzy ring on her engagement finger.

It was Strictly Come Dancing star AJ Odudu - who shared a snap alongside the pair on her Instagram at the 2022 BAFTAs - where Zawe was spotted with the ring.

Tom revealed that he's 'very happy' (Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Zawe was snapped with the glitzy ring (ajodudu/Instagram)

The couple originally met way back in 2019 while they were both starring in West End play Betrayal.

In September 2019, a source told The Sun that the Hollywood A-Lister had fallen head over heels for Zawe - and even admitted that she could be "the love of his life".

"Tom really has fallen for Zawe in a big way," they said.

"They now spend most weekends together and going for long walks with his dog.

"He thinks this could be the love of his life."

Zawe is reportedly 'the love of his life' (Dave Shopland/BPI/REX/Shutterstock)

Fans had initially speculated that the couple were together after they were snapped together during a romantic trip in Ibiza, Spain, earlier in the year.

Despite originally meeting over two years ago, their relationship wasn't confirmed until December 2021.

Whilst at the Tony Awards, Tom and Zawe confirmed their romance and finally put the rumours to rest.

Fast-forward to today - the couple are living a romantic fairy-tale after revealing their engagement to the public.

Through the midst of their relationship, the pair have made efforts to keep their relationship away from the public eye - far from their careers.

The pair keep their relationship very private (Tom Dymond/REX/Shutterstock)
Tom revealed his decisions to be secretive (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

In 2017, Tom candidly opened up about his decision to keep his personal life away from the spotlight - as explained in an interview with The Telegraph.

“Everyone is entitled to a private life,” he told the outlet.

“I love what I do and I dedicate myself with absolute commitment to making great art and great entertainment, and in my mind I don’t conflict the two.

"My work is in the public sphere and I have a private life. And those two things are separate.”

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