Briel Adams-Wheatley was born in São Paulo, Brazil, without arms or legs.
Her birth mother did not believe she could provide the care Briel needed, and Briel was placed for adoption.
At nine months old, she joined a large family in Utah, where her adoptive parents encouraged her to learn how to navigate the world independently.
Years later, she met Adam Wheatley on a dating app. They married in 2021.
When Briel publicly came out as a transgender woman in 2023, Adam remained by her side.
And in June 2026, the couple celebrated five years of marriage by exchanging vows again.
Born in Brazil, Adopted by a Family in Utah
Briel was born with Hanhart syndrome, a rare congenital condition associated with differences in limb development.
In interviews, she has explained that her biological mother felt unable to meet the medical and financial demands of raising her.
Her story reached a family in Utah that already had many children.
The couple decided to adopt her, welcoming Briel into their household when she was nine months old.
Her adoptive mother believed Briel deserved the opportunity to become as independent as possible.
That philosophy shaped much of her childhood.
Learning to Do Things Her Own Way
Briel grew up finding methods to perform everyday activities without using arms or legs.
She learned to move around her home, climb stairs and participate in school activities.
Doctors found that conventional prosthetic limbs would be difficult to attach to her body, according to her later interviews.
So she developed her own ways of navigating daily tasks using her torso, neck and chin.
She also developed a love of swimming and dance.
In a 2026 interview with People, Briel recalled learning to stay afloat in the water with her family's help.
That experience eventually helped her become comfortable swimming and even diving.
Makeup Videos Helped Her Reach Millions
Briel initially worked as a motivational speaker.
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her speaking engagements, she began experimenting with social-media content.
She posted makeup tutorials that showed how she applied beauty products using techniques adapted to her body.
People began asking why her hands were not visible in the videos.
She eventually decided to show her full body and explain her disability openly.
Her content attracted a large audience, and she became known for creative makeup, fashion and discussions of accessibility.
She later appeared in fashion events and used her platform to challenge assumptions about people born with physical disabilities.
A Dating App Match Changed Her Life
Briel matched with Adam Wheatley on Tinder in 2020.
The couple went on their first date at a coffee shop and quickly formed a close relationship.
They married on June 12, 2021.
Their original wedding ended with an unconventional celebration: the newlyweds jumped into a swimming pool together.
For Briel, the relationship brought companionship and someone who respected her independence.
Adam also became a familiar figure in her social-media posts.
Adam Supported Her After She Came Out as Transgender
Briel publicly came out as a transgender woman in 2023.
By then, she and Adam had been married for nearly two years.
She has spoken publicly about his support during her transition and how important open communication became in their relationship.
The couple have also discussed the questions they receive from strangers about their marriage.
Rather than treating their experience as something that needs public approval, they emphasize their own relationship, respect and shared decisions.
In a 2026 interview, both described marriage as an ongoing commitment to support each other through change.
Five Years Later, They Married Again
On June 13, 2026, Briel and Adam marked their fifth wedding anniversary with a vow-renewal ceremony in West Bountiful, Utah.
For Briel, the occasion held special significance.
Their first wedding took place before her transition. This time, she had the opportunity to wear the wedding dress she had dreamed of.
Her gown was altered specifically for her body.
About 150 guests gathered for the backyard celebration.
The couple exchanged vows and enjoyed a relaxed celebration with family and friends.
And they recreated one memorable moment from their first wedding: jumping into a swimming pool together.
A Life Defined by Her Own Choices
Briel continues creating content about beauty, disability and everyday life.
She has been open about the hurt caused by online criticism, but she also describes the community she has found through sharing her experiences.
Her goals include expanding her beauty career and writing a book.
Her story is not simply about overcoming physical limitations or finding a partner.
It is about making decisions for herself, building independence and having people who respect who she is.
Briel was once a baby whose future seemed uncertain. Today, she is building a career, sharing her story with millions and celebrating a marriage that has grown with her.
Editor's note: This account reflects Briel Adams-Wheatley's public interviews and reporting available through October 2026. Details of her adoption and childhood are based on her own recollections.
Sources: People — Briel discusses disability, online criticism and independence; People — Briel and Adam's June 2026 vow renewal; British Vogue — makeup career and childhood; ITV This Morning — Briel Adams-Wheatley interview.