If you’re a 90s kid, there’s a good chance you may have spent some time watching Mark-Paul Gosselaar in Saved By the Bell, playing the heartthrob Zack Morris.
However, in real life, the American actor is a devoted family man who loves nothing more than spending time with his wife and kids.
So, who is Catriona McGinn, and how did she come into the picture? How did she attract the attention of one of America’s most eligible bachelors? We’re here to let you know this and more!
Who is Catriona McGinn?
Catriona McGinn is an advertising executive who was born and raised in Canada. She was born on July 22, 1978, which makes her a Cancer woman. Cancer is considered the zodiac’s mother, and people born under this sign are incredibly caring and emotional.
We don’t know if these traits made Gosselaar fall in love with the Canadian beauty, but she caught his attention after nearly 15 years of his marriage with Lisa Ann Russel.
Education and Early Career
Catriona McGinn attended Simon Fraser University and later McGill University, where she studied project management. However, some sources mentioned that she studied interior design.
Nevertheless, McGinn found her true passion working under the spotlights, where she started working in advertisements.
How Did Catriona McGinn Meet Mark-Paul Gosselaar?
Mark-Paul Gosselaar met his future wife at a Provençal-style winery in Santa Ynez. The two immediately liked each other, and they started dating. They would hold their wedding at a nearby location to celebrate their meet-cute.
The actor was previously married to former model Lisa Ann Russell, but their marriage ended in 2010. They have two kids together, a son and a daughter born in 2004 and 2006, respectively.
Just three months after the divorce, he proposed to McGinn and gave her a 5-carat ring.
Mark-Paul explained that he spent months secretly designing his fiance’s engagement ring. He didn’t want something ordinary, so he tried to create something unique to express his love and appreciation to his future wife.
Marriage and Commitment
Before proposing to Catriona, Mark-Paul Gosselaar asked her father for his blessings. At this time, Catriona was already getting close to his children, and it seemed they were spending quality family time.
After having dinner at their beach house, the couple went for a walk to collect seashells. Then, Mark-Paul got on one knee and proposed to Catriona. She was surprised but thrilled, and she accepted immediately.
The couple spent nine months planning their chic yet simple wedding. They had a list of 135 guests, and McGinn wanted a wedding that would show the elegant ambiance of Santa Barbara.
They chose a simple color palette and used native lavender blooms for the wedding’s decorations at the Sunstone winery in Santa Ynez. Mark-Paul Gosselaar brought a bagpiper to celebrate the bride’s Scottish heritage, and her family members attended wearing kilts.
McGinn’s father walked her down the aisle. She wore a sophisticated lace gown with a heart neckline and carried a bouquet of English garden roses. She kept her wavy blonde hair free and wore diamond earrings that made her look like a princess.
The couple exchanged their sentimental vows and brought tears to the eyes of the guests. Everyone enjoyed the celebration, surrounded by the breathtaking rolling hills.
Family Life
McGinn continues pursuing a career in the media as an online persona. She had one son, born in 2013, and a daughter, born in 2015.
Putting her family first, Catriona decided to put her career on hold for a while. She spends most of her time with her family, usually exploring the outdoors with her husband and kids. The actor’s wife also enjoys gardening and caring for her Sherman Oaks home.
She continues to support her husband as he explores new roles, like playing a teen’s father in Mixed-ish, but she was thrilled that he got to reprise his role as Zack Morris in the 2020 Saved By the Bell sequel.
Wrap Up
The heartthrob of the 90s didn’t find stability in relationships until he met a young Canadian woman who changed his life. From a meet-cute to a romantic wedding, the story of Catriona McGinnis is worth a TV series of its own.
Today, the media personality lives with her husband, two kids, and two step-children, always putting her family first.