Let’s be real for a second. The success rate of Married at First Sight is, statistically speaking, a disaster. If you looked at the numbers in a vacuum, you’d probably tell your best friend to run far, far away from any legally binding contract involving a stranger and a camera crew. By the start of 2026, the US version has a success rate hovering somewhere around 14%. Australia? Even lower.
Yet, we still watch. We watch because every few seasons, the "experts" actually stumble onto something that looks like real, messy, beautiful life. Seeing MAFS couples that are still together in 2026 isn't just about reality TV trivia. It’s about the few people who actually managed to build a mortgage and a nursery out of a 10-week fever dream.
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Most people think these couples stay together because they’re "perfect matches." They aren't. They’re usually just the ones who didn't quit when things got weird.
The Hall of Fame: US Couples Still Going Strong
The US version is the only one where the marriages are actually legally binding from the jump. Maybe that’s why they stick it out more. Or maybe they’re just more stubborn.
Jamie Otis and Doug Hehner (Season 1)
If you saw the first episode back in 2014, you’d have bet your house they wouldn't last a week. Jamie was literally sobbing on the floor because she wasn't attracted to Doug. It was brutal. Fast forward to 2026, and they are basically the grandparents of the franchise. They have four kids now—their daughter Henley, son Hendrix, and the twin boys, Hawkins and Huxley, who joined the chaos in late 2024. They’ve been through miscarriages and job changes, proving that "love at first sight" is often just "mutual endurance at first sight."
The Success of "Boring" Couples
We often forget the couples who didn't have screaming matches.
- Ashley Petta and Anthony D’Amico (Season 5): They’re still in it. Two daughters later, they’re the blueprint for the "just normal people" edit.
- Danielle Bergman and Bobby Dodd (Season 7): Remember them? They never argued on camera. Not once. People called them boring. Well, "boring" has led to nearly eight years of marriage and three kids.
- Jessica Studer and Austin Hurd (Season 10): They are the only ones left from their disaster of a season. They just... liked each other. It was that simple.
The New Guard: Nicole and Chris (Season 16)
Nicole Lilienthal and Christopher Thielk are the latest to join the "long-term" club. As of early 2026, they are navigating life with twins. Their season felt like a fever dream of bad matches, but they managed to find a weirdly perfect rhythm despite the pressure.
Australia: Where the Drama is High and the Stats are Low
The Australian version of MAFS is a different beast. They aren't legally married—it’s a "commitment ceremony." Because the stakes are lower, the breakup rate is higher. But there are a few legendary outliers.
Cam and Jules (Season 6)
If Jamie and Doug are the US royalty, Cam Merchant and Jules Robinson are the Australian equivalents. They got married for real in 2019 after the show ended. They have two kids now, Ollie and Carter. They represent the 1% of the experiment where the experts actually got the "moral compass" match right.
The Couples Everyone Doubted
- Martha Kalifatidis and Michael Brunelli (Season 6): Martha was the "villain" to some, Michael was the quiet personal trainer. They’re still together, raising their son Lucius and expecting a baby girl this year.
- Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Rawson (Season 8): Honestly, everyone thought this was toxic. The internet hated them. But they’ve outlasted almost everyone. Twins, a real wedding in 2023, and a move to the Gold Coast. They’ve effectively muted the haters by simply staying together.
- Jack Dunkley and Tori Adams (Season 11): Another controversial pair. Despite the "optics," Tori moved to the Gold Coast for Jack in 2024, and they’re still posting loved-up snaps in 2026.
MAFS UK: The New Success Story?
The UK version recently shifted to the Australian format (drama-heavy, non-binding), but surprisingly, it’s producing some solid pairs.
Michelle and Owen (2020) were the last ones to have a legally binding wedding on the show. They’re still together, raising a daughter and expecting their second child any day now.
Then you have Zoe Clifton and Jenna Robinson (2022). They made history as the first lesbian couple on the show and are currently planning their "real" wedding for later in 2026. Their secret? They actually had to compromise on big stuff—like Zoe being a massive meat-eater and Jenna being a vegan. It turns out, debating over dinner is better for a marriage than ignoring the issues.
Why Do Some Couples Actually Last?
Experts who follow the show (and the couples themselves) point to a few recurring themes. It’s never about the wedding. It’s about the "un-wedding."
- The "Boring" Factor: The couples who stay together usually have the least amount of screentime. Why? Because they aren't fighting. Producers love drama, so if a couple is just hanging out and talking about laundry, they get edited out. That’s usually a sign they’ll last.
- Moving for Love: Almost every successful couple involves one person packing up their entire life. Ashley moved for Anthony. Tori moved for Jack. Briana and Vincent (Season 12) built a life in Atlanta. If you aren't willing to change your zip code, you probably won't change your last name.
- The Post-Show "Fog": The ones who make it are the ones who get off social media for a bit. The "fame" of MAFS is fleeting. The couples who focus on their 9-to-5s and their real-world families—like Deonna and Greg (Season 9)—tend to have much deeper roots.
What to Watch Out For
If you're following the 2025 or 2026 seasons, don't get distracted by the "I love yous" in week three. Look at how they handle the "Move-In" phase. That’s where the 14% success rate usually claims its victims.
Keep an eye on these milestones:
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- Do they have a plan for where to live after the apartments?
- Are they arguing about "social media likes" or "bank accounts"? (Hint: Bank account fights are actually a sign of a real relationship).
- Have they met the families without a camera crew present?
The reality is that MAFS couples that are still together are the exception, not the rule. But in a world of scripted drama, those few exceptions—the ones with the messy houses and the multiple kids—are why we keep hitting record on our DVRs.
If you're looking for the current status of a specific couple, your best bet is to check their Instagram "Tagged" photos rather than their main feed. Main feeds are curated; tagged photos show them at the grocery store on a Tuesday. That's where the real marriage happens.