Buck Palmer spent a decade building a career in front of the camera before walking away from it entirely to study meditation in the Himalayas. He returned to Los Angeles years later to design jewelry instead, a decision that eventually led him to Alessandra Ambrosio and a beach proposal in Indonesia that made him one of the most searched names in fashion.
Buck Palmer's Life Before Alessandra Ambrosio
Buck Palmer was born on December 16, 1981, in Sydney, Australia. He built an early career as a professional model, working throughout Australia before relocating to Los Angeles in the early 2000s to continue modeling in the American market. He joined the professional modeling network Model Mayhem in September 2010 and was later signed to Chadwick Models, appearing in commercial campaigns throughout that period.
According to his own account, that decade in front of the camera left him feeling unfulfilled despite its success. He has described searching for something with more meaning than the entertainment industry offered, a search that eventually took him far from modeling entirely.
Buck Palmer's Journey From Meditation Teacher to Jewelry Designer
Palmer traveled to Tulum, Mexico, seeking clarity outside the industry that had defined his twenties. That trip introduced him to a meditation practice that he has said changed his life. He later became a certified teacher of that same technique, eventually traveling to the Himalayas to deepen his training at its source.
According to his brand's website, it was during his years teaching meditation that he met a jewelry designer from Los Angeles, and a conversation about collaborating on a collection eventually became the foundation of his own brand. In 2016, Palmer launched Buck Palmer Jewelry, a men's jewelry and accessories line built around chunky, mixed metal bracelets, cuffs, necklaces, and rings.
His brand describes itself as an expression of what it calls the maverick lifestyle, built on the idea that meaningful experiences come from adventure rather than money or a fixed plan. His work has since been featured in outlets including MITH Magazine, L.A. Confidential, and Up and Coming Magazine.
Buck Palmer's Previous Marriage to Ashley Hart
Before his relationship with Ambrosio, Palmer was married to Ashley Hart, an Australian model and the sister of Victoria's Secret model Jessica Hart. The two married in Los Angeles in 2015 and divorced in 2017, a relationship that predated Palmer's full transition into jewelry design and his career as a meditation teacher.
How Buck Palmer and Alessandra Ambrosio Started Dating
Palmer and Ambrosio first went public with their relationship at an Art Basel party in Miami in late 2024, following a period of getting to know each other privately. Weeks later, Ambrosio shared photos of the couple kissing on Praia Brava Beach in Santa Catarina, Brazil, and the two closed out that year together with a New Year's post celebrating the season away from a party crowd.
Ambrosio, who split from her longtime partner Jamie Mazur in 2018 after ten years together, spoke about the relationship with Us Weekly, describing a shared passion for living fully and appreciating small moments together. The couple continued to be seen together throughout 2025, including a trip to Ambrosio's native Brazil to ring in the new year with her family.
Buck Palmer Proposes to Alessandra Ambrosio in Indonesia
Palmer proposed to Ambrosio in April 2026, on a private beach on the island of Sumba, southwest of Bali in Indonesia. The proposal featured a heart drawn in the sand and surrounded by tropical flowers, along with matching tattoos the couple got to mark the occasion.
Ambrosio did not share the news publicly until August 11, 2026, posting a series of photos and drone footage from the proposal months later. "I would choose you in this life and every life. Forever, my love," she wrote alongside the images, which showed the couple embracing in the ocean at the secluded luxury resort.
Buck Palmer in 2026
As of 2026, Palmer continues to run his self-titled jewelry brand while adjusting to the increased attention that followed his engagement to one of the fashion industry's most recognizable faces. He remains based in Los Angeles, where he built his brand after years of teaching meditation. This path took him from Sydney runways to the Himalayas before landing him in the jewelry business that eventually connected him to Ambrosio.
Buck Palmer Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Buck Palmer |
| Born | December 16, 1981, Sydney, Australia |
| Age | 44 |
| Former Career | Professional model, signed to Chadwick Models |
| Other Background | Certified meditation teacher |
| Business | Founder, Buck Palmer Jewelry (since 2016) |
| Previous Marriage | Ashley Hart (2015 to 2017) |
| Fiancee | Alessandra Ambrosio |
| Engaged | April 2026, Sumba, Indonesia (announced August 11, 2026) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Buck Palmer?
Buck Palmer is an Australian jewelry designer and former professional model, founder of the men's jewelry brand Buck Palmer Jewelry. He is engaged to supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio.
How did Buck Palmer and Alessandra Ambrosio meet?
The couple went public with their relationship at an Art Basel party in Miami in late 2024, after getting to know each other privately in the months prior.
When did Buck Palmer propose to Alessandra Ambrosio?
Palmer proposed on a private beach in Sumba, Indonesia, in April 2026. Ambrosio publicly announced the engagement on August 11, 2026, sharing photos and drone footage from the proposal.
Was Buck Palmer married before?
Yes. Palmer was previously married to Australian model Ashley Hart, sister of Victoria's Secret model Jessica Hart, from 2015 to 2017.
What does Buck Palmer do for a living?
Palmer is the founder and designer behind Buck Palmer Jewelry, a men's jewelry and accessories brand he launched in 2016 after leaving a decade-long modeling career and training as a meditation teacher.