Ever since she made her dramatic entrance as a bombshell on Love Island UK Series 5 in 2019, Maura Higgins has captivated international audiences with her unfiltered humor, sharp confidence, and relatable charm. From her viral moments in the villa to presenting high-profile television broadcasts, the Irish star has successfully transformed reality TV fame into a multi-million-dollar entertainment career. Yet, alongside her professional growth, public fascination with her love life remains higher than ever. Fans regularly search for updates regarding her romantic status, asking who her current boyfriend is, whether she is engaged, and how her past high-profile relationships unfolded.
In 2026, Maura’s approach to romance has undergone a quiet revolution. Stepping away from public celebrity courtships, she has embraced singlehood, directing her energy toward major American television productions and expanding her business empire. Much like other modern stars who navigate public celebrity relationships under intense media scrutiny, Maura has established firm personal boundaries to prioritize her autonomy, privacy, and long-term ambition.
Early Life & Background
Long before walking onto television sets in London and Los Angeles, Maura Higgins led a grounded life in rural Ireland. Born on November 25, 1990, in Ballymahon, County Longford, her route to stardom was built on persistence and practical skill.
- Small-Town Education: Raised in Ballymahon alongside her family, Maura attended Ballymahon Vocational School. She frequently credits her humble Irish upbringing for shaping her strong work ethic and straightforward personality.
- Vocational Trade: Before entering the entertainment industry, Maura trained and worked as a professional hairdresser and makeup artist in Ireland, developing an early expertise in beauty and aesthetics.
- Promotional & Motorsport Modeling: Seeking broader opportunities, she moved into promotional modeling. She gained significant visibility working as a Monster Energy ambassador and as a ring girl for high-stakes boxing matches, including fights involving heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
- Pre-Fame Engagement: As a teenager, Maura entered a long-term relationship with Irish car salesman James Finnegan. The childhood sweethearts were together for nine years and became engaged before quietly parting ways in 2017.
- Reality TV Debut: In June 2019, at age 28, Maura entered the Love Island villa as a late entrant. Her outspoken personality made her an instant fan favorite and altered her career trajectory overnight.
Current Relationship Status: Is Maura Higgins Dating Anyone in 2026?
Maura Higgins is single and actively taking a break from dating. Despite regular tabloid rumors linking her to famous co-stars, she has openly discussed her choice to remain unattached, lightheartedly referring to her stance as being on a “man ban” and embracing an extended period of celibacy. In interviews with outlets like Cosmopolitan, she shared that stepping back from romance has allowed her to focus entirely on personal well-being and her expanding international career.
Speculation spiked when viewers observed her close friendship with co-star Rob Rausch during production of The Traitors US. Rumors intensified when Rob attended her live performances on Dancing with the Stars, where he was photographed holding her Hermès Birkin bag in the crowd. However, both Maura and Rob have repeatedly confirmed that their relationship is purely platonic and collaborative.
Maura has expressed that while she remains open to finding love in the future, her standards for a partner are higher than ever. Having navigated public trust issues in past relationships, she prioritizes loyalty, humor, and independence. As explored in discussions on navigating dating icks and standards, Maura refuses to compromise her peace or career trajectory for temporary companionship. She currently lives in her Essex home, enjoying her personal space and independence.
Complete Relationship Timeline & Dating History
Maura’s dating history reflects a progression from pre-fame domestic commitments to high-profile reality TV connections and creative industry partnerships.
Relationship Timeline Table
| Year / Period | Partner | Relationship Status | Key Context & Highlights |
| 2008 – 2017 | James Finnegan | Engaged (Separated) | 9-year relationship with her teenage sweetheart; ended amicably prior to TV fame. |
| 2018 | Shane McGuigan | Dated (Ex) | Short relationship with the Irish boxing trainer before joining Love Island. |
| 2019 – 2020 | Curtis Pritchard | Ex-Boyfriend | Coupled up on Love Island Series 5; dated publicly for 8 months until March 2020. |
| 2020 | Alexander Demetriou | Rumored | Linked during Dancing on Ice; both publicly maintained they were just friends. |
| 2020 – 2021 | Chris Taylor | Ex-Boyfriend | Friends-to-lovers romance with her Love Island co-star (Nov 2020 – May 2021). |
| 2021 | Giovanni Pernice | Ex-Boyfriend | 4-month relationship with the Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer. |
| 2022 | Joey Essex | Encounter | Spotted together at the Pride of Britain Awards; clarified as a friendly night out. |
| 2023 – 2024 | Bobby Holland Hanton | Ex-Boyfriend | Dated Hollywood stunt double Bobby Holland Hanton across late 2023 and early 2024. |
| 2024 – 2025 | Pete Wicks / Kai Widdrington | Linked / Friends | Flirty public appearances; Maura confirmed she remained single throughout. |
Dating History Overview Table
| Partner | Profession / Field | Relationship Duration | Final Outcome |
| James Finnegan | Automotive Sales | ~9 Years (2008–2017) | Broken Engagement |
| Curtis Pritchard | Ballroom Dancer / TV Personality | 8 Months (2019–2020) | Separated |
| Chris Taylor | Content Creator / Presenter | 6 Months (2020–2021) | Separated (Remain Friends) |
| Giovanni Pernice | Professional Dancer | 4 Months (2021) | Separated |
| Bobby Holland Hanton | Film Stunt Performer | ~8 Months (2023–2024) | Separated |
Similar to tracking celebrity relationship timelines, analyzing Maura’s history highlights how she has managed public scrutiny over time. Following her split from Curtis Pritchard in early 2020, her transition from close friends to partners with Chris Taylor received widespread support from fans. Her subsequent romance with Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice was heavily documented by the UK press before ending in late 2021. Reports from entertainment publications like the Evening Standard confirm that Maura has consistently chosen to exit relationships whenever they no longer served her growth or personal happiness.
Net Worth Updates & Personal Assets
Maura Higgins has built a substantial financial profile through brand deals, broadcasting roles, and private investments. Her estimated net worth stands between $4.5 million and $6 million (approximately £3.2 million to £4.8 million).
Key Revenue Streams
- Broadcasting & Production Fees: After earning a basic stipend of £250 per week on Love Island in 2019, Maura’s appearance fees grew rapidly. Major TV contracts include Dancing on Ice (£150,000), hosting Glow Up Ireland, presenting Love Island USA: Aftersun, participating in I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! (earning an estimated $30,000 per day), and starring on The Traitors US and Dancing with the Stars Season 35.
- Global Commercial Partnerships: She maintains major commercial deals with brands such as Victoria’s Secret, MAC Cosmetics UK & Ireland, Ann Summers (a partnership valued at roughly $676,000), L’Oréal, Bondi Sands, and PrettyLittleThing.
- Corporate Holdings: Financial filings for her holding company, The Flutter Effect Ltd, demonstrate strong growth, with liquidity reports showing over £646,000 held in cash reserves alongside capital investments.
Luxury Property & Vehicle Collection
- Essex Mansion (“Casa A’Maura”): Maura owns a five-bedroom detached mansion in Essex, England, valued at £1.25 million. The property features custom interior design, private grounds, and modern luxury security additions.
- Automotive Assets: Her personal vehicle collection includes a Porsche Macan (valued at ~£98,000), alongside a Jaguar F-Type S Coupe, a Range Rover Evoque, a Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe, and a BMW 3 Series.
As seen in analyses of public figures balancing fame with wealth creation, Maura’s financial success reflects diversification beyond initial television roles. Profiles in outlets like Parade Magazine highlight how her audience engagement across 4.3+ million social media followers directly supports her brand portfolio.
Future Goals and Upcoming Projects
Maura Higgins continues to expand her footprint across American and European entertainment networks. Having established her presence on British TV, her current focus centers on US broadcasting and entrepreneurship.
- US Television Hosting: Building on her performance on The Traitors US and her appearance on Dancing with the Stars Season 35 alongside partner Mark Ballas, Maura is pursuing regular hosting engagements in North America. She is also working on upcoming Peacock network projects alongside Rob Rausch.
- Beauty & Fashion Brands: Beyond her ambassador roles with MAC Cosmetics and Victoria’s Secret, Maura is developing independent product lines in the skincare and cosmetics sectors.
- Acting Pursuits: Following her debut in the feature film The Spin, she continues to explore scripted acting opportunities across television and film.
Conclusion
From her beginnings in Longford, Ireland, to her career as a television personality in London and Los Angeles, Maura Higgins has built a distinct path in modern entertainment. Rather than allowing external expectations to dictate her personal life, she has focused on independence, financial growth, and career development. With a net worth approaching $6 million, an expanding real estate portfolio, and major international media projects underway, Maura continues to advance her career on her own terms.
Sahil Chopra is a digital media specialist and the Managing Editor of Hercules & Love Affair. Backed by a formal diploma in Film & Television Direction from the Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT) and a degree in Business Management, Sahil combines his artistic vision with over four years of digital publishing expertise. He specializes in tracking the exact intersection where underground club culture meets high-end luxury lifestyle. Having closely followed the global electronic music scene from its early blog-era roots, Sahil now leads the editorial vision for the platform—curating everything from breaking entertainment news and VIP festival guides to exclusive looks inside celebrity culture. When he isn’t steering the newsroom, he is hunting down rare vinyl records and keeping a close eye on global fashion weeks.