MAFS SHO-CKER: While 2026 Couples Fall Apart, These 10 Fan-Favourite Pairs Are Still Going Strong

Another “Golden Couple” Has Fallen, and MAFS’s Success Rate Looks Bleaker Than Ever

MAFS fam, if you’re looking for a glimmer of hope about true love from Married at First Sight Australia, you might want to brace yourself.

Recently, Rhi Disljenkovic and Jeff Gobbels – season 12’s “golden couple” – have officially confirmed their split through separate Instagram statements. Both expressed being “incredibly grateful” for the memories and fan support, but didn’t reveal details about their breakup.

Their departure further erodes the show’s reputation – already criticized for creating drama rather than building lasting relationships. It got to a point where expert John Aiken had to respond to accusations that the show purposely mismatches couples.

“When we sit down and match we’re very confident about our matches, and we’re hopeful that they all can get the fairy tale,” Aiken told PEDESTRIAN.TV.

But with Rhi and Jeff’s breakup, the list of MAFS couples still together across all 13 seasons now stands at only 9 couples (including recouplings).

Let’s look back at the love stories that have stood the test of time – and the harsh realities behind the TV spotlight.

The MAFS Couples Still Together – From Season 6 to Season 13

1. Martha Kalifatidis and Michael Brunelli (Season 6)

Martha and Michael are one of MAFS’s biggest success stories. They announced their engagement in 2021, welcomed their first son Lucius in January 2023, and recently added a baby girl named Sunday.

“Our girl is here. We are smitten,” the couple wrote on Instagram.

Still engaged, with two children and regular social media appearances, they’re clearly still going strong.

2. Jules Robinson and Cam Merchant (Season 6)

If history remembers only one MAFS love story, it’ll be Jules and Cam. They married for real in November 2019 and share two sons, Chase and Carter.

Jules told Stellar in 2020:

“I feel a lot of people were really invested in our relationship. People still message me to this day and say we gave them hope that they will find their ‘one’.”

3. Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Rawson (Season 8)

Bryce and Melissa left the show, got engaged, and welcomed twins in one fell swoop. They’ve since officially tied the knot and relocated to the Gold Coast.

Bryce said on the Villain Edit podcast:

“Having kids kind of matures you very quickly. It’s probably the best thing that ever happened to me, and it changed me as a whole person.”

4. Kerry Knight and Johnny Balbuziente (Season 8)

One of the few successful “intruder” couples, Kerry and Johnny announced their engagement in 2022 and married the following year. Their daughter, Chloe, arrived in 2024.

5. Evelyn Ellis and Duncan James (Season 10)

Evelyn and Duncan’s love story is unique: they weren’t matched together on the show. Evelyn was an intruder bride, Duncan an original groom. They only confirmed their romance after filming wrapped.

As of 2026, they’re still going strong.

6. Ellie Dix and Jonathan McCullough (Season 11)

Ellie and Jono shocked viewers by arriving at the reunion as a couple, leaving their original matches behind. Their extramarital romance became the season’s big cheating scandal – but it paid off.

They’ve traveled the world and bought a home on the Gold Coast in 2025.

7. Jade Pywell and Ridge Barredo (Season 11)

Another successful intruder couple, Ridge moved to the Gold Coast to continue his relationship with Jade. The pair frequently share loved-up snaps.

“It’s wild we’re still together,” Ridge wrote on Instagram. “Limelight and all has passed and now it’s just us and our little family still kicking.”

8. Jacqui Burfoot and Clint Rice (Season 12)

Jacqui and Clint, another recoupling success story, announced they were getting married in March 2026. On April 20, 2026, they confirmed their marriage with a joint post, dubbing themselves “Mr & Mrs Rice.”