Jo-Ann Strauss reflects on love and loss on 14th anniversary
A lot has changed since former Miss SA Jo-Ann Straus wallked down the aisle, but she is "grateful for always being held in grace".
Jo-Ann Strauss and her German husband, Michael Held, are celebrating their 14-year wedding anniversary.
The Miss South Africa 2000 winner celebrated her anniversary by sharing pictures from her gorgeous 2012 wedding at Camps Bay Retreat Boutique Hotel.
Only a few close family and friends attended the ceremony, including her parents, Johan and Ingrid Strauss, and her brother, Heinrich.
"14 years ago today, my dad walked me down the aisle, my mom helped me dress, my brother was my man of honour, and I married my love," she captioned pictures of her family.
"Years later, so much has changed, and I am grateful for always being held in grace."
The media personality and international speaker has experienced many highs and lows since her big day. Her baby brother, with whom she shared a close bond, passed away in December 2021.
He was the man of honour on her wedding day.
"I often think of him in the oddest times and want to call him to tell him something I know would have make him laugh. He still feels so part of my life. And I'm most afraid that the memories will become less vivid as I want to hold on to him as much as I can," she wrote in a separate post.
Her mother, Ingrid, who helped her get into her Gideon wedding dress, now suffers from dementia.
"Thank you to all the strangers who kindly engage with her, human to human. My dad is such a strong man. He always shows me that her dignity is his priority," Jo-Ann said about the kindness of strangers in an August 2025 post.
"People with dementia deserve dignity. I am so grateful for all he has taught me. And for all my mom continues to teach me and our children. Patience. Humility. And unconditional love."
The 45-year-old beauty queen and her orthopaedic surgeon husband split their lives between South Africa and Germany, though they are primarily based in Cape Town.
The couple has four children together. While Jo-Ann rarely shares pictures of her husband and kids, she has previously described Held as her rock.
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Image credit: Instagram/@jo_annstrauss