Posted January 2, 2026

Former “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Dolores Catania is engaged! The Bravo star got the surprise of a lifetime when her boyfriend of nearly five years, Paulie Connell, got down on one knee and popped the question at the place the couple first met — a New Jersey Apple Store.

Photos captured Catania looking completely shocked as Connell asked her to marry him at the store. People shared several sweet shots of the newly engaged couple, including a close-up of her stunning diamond ring. The comment section quickly filled up with congratulatory messages from “Real Housewives” stars across all installments.

‘Real Housewives’ Stars Celebrate Dolores Catania & Paulie Connell’s Engagement News

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Dolores Catania and her longtime boyfriend, Paulie Connell, are heading to the altar! People reported that on Nov. 10, Connell got down on one knee to ask for Catania’s hand in marriage while the two were inside a New Jersey Apple Store — the same store that the two had first met.

Speaking to People about the special moment, he asked the “Real Housewives” star to be his wife, Connell lovingly shared, “She’s an incredible woman. And when I was proposing to her, I was able to articulate to her everything I see that she is, and everything I see that she does, and the impact she has on everybody around her. She’s one in a million.”

On Instagram, where People shared the photos of the couple’s engagement, the comments section was filled with love from Catania’s former RHONJ castmates and stars from other “Real Housewives” installments, all sending their congratulations.

RHONJ icon Teresa Giudice commented twice on the post, first sharing three heart emojis, and later writing, “So happy for both of you. Love you guys Congratulations ❤️❤️.” Former RHONJ star Jacqueline Laurita wrote, “O.M.Geeeee!!! Beautiful all around! Everything! Congratulations! ❤️👏😍 I’m SO happy for you! 🫶💕🥂🍾.”

Melissa Gorga commented on the post, appearing shocked at where the engagement went down. “I’m really trying to analyze the background and figure out where this happened?!” She shared.

RHOC stars also commented, with Tamra Judge writing, “So happy for you both! ❤️” And Heather Dubrow stating, “Congratulations!!! How exciting!!!!❤️❤️❤️”

Former RHONY star Sonja Morgan wrote, “So so so happy for you both. I love LOVE 💗. I’m headed to the Apple Store dressed as YOU. 😹”

In fact, even Catania’s ex-husband, Frank Catania Sr., shared a touching remark to the news. “Congratulations 🎉🎈 we are so happy for you guys and can’t wait to celebrate. Love you guys.”

Connell Shared Why He Proposed to Catania Inside an Apple Store

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Fans may have found Connell’s decision to propose at an Apple Store in New Jersey a little unusual, but the location holds special meaning for the couple because it’s where they first met.

In their conversation with People, Connell admitted that he could have proposed somewhere exotic and made a whole spectacle of the engagement, but said he and Catania are “humble” at heart, more focused on their love then the glitz and glam of it all.

“I could have proposed on a yacht in Greece. I could have rented a grand hall, invited 400 people and asked her to marry me with fireworks in the background. But that’s not who we are,” he told the outlet.

He continued, “I didn’t want anything over-the-top and staged because we’re a humble couple. I wanted it to feel grounded and natural and organic. Plus, I wanted the element of surprise. And believe me, I had the element of surprise.”

And, boy, did he surprise Catania. She shared, “Oh, I had not a clue at all. In fact, I thought I was going to have to call an ambulance for him! He was sweating so bad, his T-shirt was soaked, his face was beet red. And you know how people say weird things when they’re having a stroke? He started saying these sweet, beautiful things to me out of nowhere and I was like, ‘Paul, are you okay?’ And then I realized he was proposing.”