Brazilian television star Maurício Mattar has officially tied the knot with Shay Dufau during an intimate wedding ceremony in Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro.
The 62-year-old actor and Dufau, 37, formalised their marriage after a decade together. The newlyweds already share a seven-year-old daughter, Ilha.
The private celebration took place on a rustic farm in the mountainous municipality of Teresópolis, situated in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Surrounded by open nature, the gathering included only a small circle of guests invited to witness the couple exchange their vows in front of an outdoor chapel.
Photographs from the ceremony were shared on social media by the event photographer, showing the setting and the couple at the altar. Mattar wore a classic grey suit for the occasion, while Dufau chose a sleek sleeveless gown made from smooth fabric, complemented by a long veil that trailed down the aisle.
Vows at the countryside chapel
Addressing the guests from the altar, Mattar said that he had always dreamed of getting married on a small farm filled with roaming animals. The actor explained that he wanted ponies rolling and scratching nearby during the service, horses standing close by, and a peacock calling out across the grounds.
He told the gathering that every detail had happened just as he had pictured it. Mattar added that the rustic ceremony felt like a scene straight out of a classic afternoon television film.
Family and older children
In addition to seven-year-old Ilha, Mattar is the father of three adult children from his previous relationships. His eldest son, 39-year-old Luã Yvys, was born during his marriage to the acclaimed Brazilian singer Elba Ramalho.
Mattar also has a 34-year-old daughter, Rayra Gracie Mattar, from his relationship with Flávia Gracie, a member of Brazil's renowned martial arts family. His third child, 31-year-old daughter Petra, was born from his past relationship with Fabiana Sá.
Decades on Brazilian television
Mattar has been a familiar presence in Brazilian entertainment for more than four decades, rising to national fame as a leading man in TV Globo productions during the 1980s. Over the following years, he became one of the country's most recognisable romantic television leads.
His most prominent roles include performances in hit telenovelas such as Rainha da Sucata in 1990 and Pedra sobre Pedra in 1992. In 1994, he starred in the acclaimed supernatural telenovela A Viagem, which cemented his reputation across Latin American television.
Prior to his recent screen appearances, Mattar's last major television project was on the Record network, where he featured in the biblical drama Gênesis in 2021. He returns to acting in 2026 with roles in the productions Jogada de Risco and Por Você.
Equine breeding at Haras Kirk
Alongside his acting career, Mattar has developed a significant venture in agribusiness. Following the completion of the telenovela Dona Xepa in 2013, he turned his focus toward breeding Mangalarga Marchador horses, a celebrated native Brazilian breed known for its stamina and smooth riding gait.
The actor established his horse breeding facility, named Haras Kirk, in the town of Esmeril within the state of Minas Gerais. The venture pays tribute to his paternal heritage, drawing its title from the surname of his father, Jarbas Kirk de Souza.
The Kirk surname carries historic roots in Brazil, having been shared by numerous prominent figures across the nation's military history. Mattar continues to oversee the equestrian estate while returning to television projects.
