Danielle Staub is engaged! The 53-year-old former "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star kept her relationship with Navy SEAL Special Warfare and intelligence expert Joseph Masalta pretty quiet, but the two have officially announced the exciting news, according to In Touch Weekly. The two met at a charity event and immediately hit it off.
"I am thrilled to be engaged to Joseph," Straub said. "He is an extraordinary and honorable man, and I'm happier than I've ever been in my life. We are happy, peaceful and grateful to spend the rest of our lives together."
"Danielle is the most beautiful woman I've ever met in my life," Masalta added. "Inside and out, and I am head-over-heels in love with her."
Rumors about the two have been going around since Staub changed her Facebook relationship status from "single" to "engaged," according to E! News. It turns out they have been engaged since around Aug. 16. "It is me who is extremely fortunate," Masalta wrote to a fan who congratulated the couple. "Danielle has become an extremely positive influence in my life. Danielle is an awesome mother and best friend."
Staub was on "RHONJ" for the first two seasons but took a break to focus on her two daughters Jillian and Christine. Her time on the show was definitely drama-filled, but she's grown a lot since then.
"Nobody is perfect," she said. "And I think we all learned and grew from that experience. I've turned a new leaf in life and carry no ill will towards my former co-stars. I wish them nothing but the best."
The couple has not yet set a wedding date, but they do want it to take place sometime next year.
