Four months after confirming their engagement, French Montana is finally opening up about the unlikely and unmistakably modern moment that changed his life.
The Bronx rapper didn’t meet his future fiancée at a party, a fashion show, or even through the music industry. It all began with a viral Instagram post that stopped him cold.
Speaking on the ‘Joe and Jada’ podcast, French Montana (born Karim Kharbouch) revealed that Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Princess of Dubai, first caught his attention while he was traveling overseas.
Mahra had just publicly announced her divorce from her then-husband, Sheikh Mana bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mana Al Maktoum, in a post that ricocheted across social media.
“I just happened to be in Dubai, I remember I had seen she put up that post where she divorced somebody,” French recalled on the podcast. “And I’m like, ‘I like her.’ Because it takes a lot of guts to throw that up.”
That bold declaration, which was posted in July 2024 and later deleted, did more than make headlines.
© @hhshmahra InstagramIn the message, Sheikha Mahra directly addressed her ex-husband and accused him of infidelity, writing, “Dear Husband, As you are occupied with other companions, I hereby declare our divorce. I divorce you, I divorce you, and I divorce you. Take care. Your ex-wife.”
According to the BBC, the three-time repetition of “I divorce you” appears to reference triple talaq, an Islamic practice that traditionally allows a husband to instantly divorce his wife by repeating the phrase three times.
The practice is banned in many countries and is not typically initiated by women, making Mahra’s public statement all the more striking. French Montana was impressed. Enough so that he didn’t hesitate to act.
© @hhshmahra InstagramRather than sliding into her DMs himself, the rapper enlisted a mutual connection. “It was one of my homeboys, he plugged me with her in Dubai,” he explained to hosts Jadakiss and Fat Joe. His instructions were simple: “Do what you gotta do.”
Not long after, the two were spotted together, with Mahra giving French a personal tour of Dubai, fueling dating rumors that would soon be confirmed.
By October 2024, their connection was undeniable. Fast forward a year, and the whirlwind romance had turned into something permanent. French proposed during Paris Fashion Week in June 2025, marking the moment just after his first runway walk for 3.PARADIS’ Spring/Summer 2026 collection.
© @hhshmahra / InstagramThe engagement was formally announced via a press release on Aug. 27, 2025. The ring itself was fit for royalty, an 11.53-carat emerald-cut diamond valued at an estimated $1.1 million, custom-designed by celebrity jeweler Eric the Jeweler of Mavani & Co.
The couple later shared a glimpse of it on Instagram, captioning the post simply with a white heart and sparkle emoji. According to a statement from Montana’s team, “The elegant and rare design is a perfect symbol of the couple’s unique love story.”
© @hhshmahra /InstagramWhile wedding plans are underway, representatives have confirmed that “specific dates and arrangements are still being finalized by both families, who are reportedly excited and supportive.”
Despite their high-profile status, French and Mahra have kept much of their relationship private. They’ve stepped out together on special occasions, including French’s 41st birthday celebration at Aya Nightclub in New York City in November 2025, where they were joined by Max B and Central Cee.
Both bring family into the next chapter of their lives. Sheikha Mahra shares a young daughter with her ex-husband, whom she married in June 2023. French Montana was previously married to entrepreneur and designer Nadeen Kharbouch from 2007 to 2014, and he shares a 16-year-old son, Kruz Kharbouch, with her.
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