Nigel Owens, a legendary referee in the rugby world, was married to his now-husband last weekend in a ceremony overlooking the ocean at a resort in Wales, in what Owens called “an amazing day” and “proudest of my life.”
Owens, 53, married his longtime partner Barrie Jones-Davies, a schoolteacher, at a wedding that had a bit of a rugby theme, Wales Online reports, with one table named Principality Stadium, a well-known stadium in Wales.
Rugby Theme, Farm Life, and a New Family
It’s easy to see why getting married to Jones-Davies was such a proud moment for Owens. After coming out as gay in 2007, he talked about the internal trauma he went through wrestling with his orientation, saying he became bulimic and thought about chemical castration.
Those days are long gone, with Owens and Jones-Davies managing a farm together in the Welsh countryside. Days after the wedding, Owens posted on Instagram about the thrill of returning to the farm and seeing a newborn calf.
Owens and Jones-Davies are embarking on a quest to become parents via adoption, an effort Owens discussed last year:
“There’s not too much I can say at the moment about the process itself, but we are both incredibly excited. It’s something that we’ve spoken about for a few years now and it’s taken a while to get here, but now that it’s happening we can’t wait, although I must admit it’s also a little nerve-wracking.”
Owens: A Celebrated Figure in Rugby
Owens made headlines in 2007 when he came out as gay. At the time, the Welshman was a top-level rugby referee, overseeing games all over the world. Many consider him one of the greatest rugby referees of all time. Now aged 53, he retired in 2020 following a 17-year career in the sport.
Beyond the Rugby Field
Since retiring from refereeing, Owens has concentrated on media work, He co-presents the Welsh-language shows Jonathan and Bwrw’r Bar (‘Hitting the Bar’) on Welsh TV. He’s also turned his hand to farming and owns several cows.
Congratulations, Nigel and Barrie
The wedding was a joyous occasion, filled with love, laughter, and a touch of rugby. It's clear that Owens and Jones-Davies are embarking on a new chapter in their lives, one filled with love, family, and exciting new adventures. Congratulations to the happy couple!
