The Bachelor SA may have thrust him into the spotlight, but Marc Buckner is all about focusing on making his future real, authentic and on his own terms
Marc Buckner is so much more than the dreamboat who handed out roses on the second season of The Bachelor South Africa. Behind the chiselled jawline, six-pack and charm is a man who thrives on adventure, embraces vulnerability and isn’t afraid to forge his own path. From navigating fame to the highs and lows of chasing love in the public eye, Marc’s story is anything but ordinary.
His favourite superhero is Wolverine, he once tried going vegan, and his guilty pleasure is a perfectly poured Guinness. Get ready to discover the real man who captured the hearts of many, a man wanting to show the world that he is more than roses and romance.
Born in Durban and raised in Hout Bay, Cape Town, Marc has always been a man of many talents. Before entering the world of reality television, he began modelling at the age of 16 and has forged a successful career for the last two decades, working with some of the world’s top brands while building a passion for fitness, wellness and adventure.
But is this the path he always envisioned for himself? He says that he has always lived his life impulsively, grabbing the bull by the horns, as it were. “I don’t know if I had time to even think about it. I just went with the flow… Modelling came about because I was approached, and the same with content creation,” he explains.
“With modelling and travelling from such a young age, you have to be very independent and very strong, and people don’t realise that. It’s not what people think. It was tough to live in Europe and just survive off the little that they give you, but luckily it turned out to be profitable. I might have thought of becoming a professional rugby player or a surfer, but this journey is not what I planned for myself.”
Once driven by the adrenaline rush of kickboxing and downhill mountain-biking, he has now embraced a much slower pace, swapping high-energy adventures for more moments of calm with his adorable dog LuSi. Every day looks a little bit different, from shooting content for various social-media and modelling campaigns to spending time with friends and family. “I miss the boring days and then when they’re boring, I miss the busy days!” he laughs.
Rethinking romance
Appearing on The Bachelor had a profound impact on the way Marc sees love. “I think it destroyed the fantasy for me,” he admits. “We’re sold this fantasy on TV, but it’s really not like that. Often it seems transactional. If you fall in love with someone who’s there for the wrong reason, it’s very disheartening.”
For Marc, the experience extended beyond the superficial and informed his approach to relationships in real life. “I would like there to be mutual love and it to not be about anything else, not whether I drive a Ferrari or whether I did a TV show, if I have lots of followers or if I can give you something materialistic.”
Marc took to Instagram to share how his experience on the show taught him what a true partner looks like for him. “They need to be there when things fall apart, when the bad days come, and when life hits hard. The tough times are what really reveal who’s in it for the long haul and who’s just around for the perks. Now I know what I need and deserve in a partner – someone who sticks by my side no matter what.” Since then, Marc is also more intentional about the qualities that he looks for in a partner. “I want two people to be after love, that we both are there for each other. Someone who’s caring and considerate of the other person.”
He has also learned to be wary of superficial connections. “You can manufacture a thing that may appear like that spark, but it’s hard to discern sometimes what the real thing is.”
Marc’s advice for a first date is simple; there is no need for fancy dinners and elaborate plans. For him, the best dates are when both people feel comfortable to be themselves. “Do something that makes you feel good and that you’re comfortable with. It’s not about being selfish, it’s about being authentic to who I am, because that’s what I’d want to represent.”
When it comes to his idea of the perfect date, Marc says: “It would have to be where I’m in a T-shirt and cap and my trackpants, and they are in their most relaxed attire, and you just take a walk on the Sea Point Promenade or on the mountain, and the walk goes from half an hour to four hours because you really enjoy each other’s company.”
Quality time is his love language and he’s still searching for someone that speaks it fluently. He’s looking for a partner who isn’t afraid to be their authentic self and show genuine kindness. “Someone who I can see is caring and considerate from the moment we meet.”
While he acknowledges the impact The Bachelor had on his life, he is quick to point out that his story doesn’t end there. “For me, that’s the smallest thing I’ve done. That was three months, and my life hasn’t stopped. From the age of 16, I’ve been flying to different countries and cities, meeting new people all the time. That show was just basically 90 days of a 26-year career.”
However, being in the public eye doesn’t come without its challenges. He is candid about his status as a public figure and The Bachelor, and shares that being in the public eye means that you open yourself up to scrutiny. “I actually prefer the opinions of people drawn from my social media to those from The Bachelor,” he explains, “because there they just look at you as an object, but from the show they judge who they think you are.”
Following motorcycle accidents and great financial losses, Marc has redefined his career to include being a content creator. By partnering and aligning himself with top global brands that reflect his interests and values, he is now able to turn his social media presence into a successful business.
In one post, he shares: “At the end of the day, my Instagram journey didn’t come from a place of luxury or fun. It came out of necessity. I needed to pivot, to rebuild, and Instagram became a way to do that. What might look like ‘doing Instagram’ to some is, for me, a lifeline, a career and a way to push forward. And I can’t thank you enough for all of your support – you’ve been a huge part of helping me get back on track.”
Marc has also chosen to turn inward. Instead of actively looking for love, he is choosing to dedicate his journey to personal growth. “I’m thinking about it now more than ever. I’m needing some growth and I’m needing to be happy with myself, and that’s why I’m not ready to meet someone yet.”
Looking ahead
While Marc’s plans don’t include a relationship in the near future, he has plenty of love to share. He wants to give back to the people who have stood by him. “I would love to take a few of those friends that stuck by me through everything and go and have the most amazing party somewhere, maybe Ibiza! I’d love to take them all business class, and we all just have the most freedom we could possibly have.”
He’s also pouring his energy into renovating his house to gift to his mom. “I know she loves my home; I want her to move in there and I want to find something new. The next goal is I would like to get her a new car that she loves because she expects nothing, which just makes me want to do it more.”
To Marc, success is not about fame and appearing in front of the camera but, finding contentment in a life away from the spotlight. His long-term vision includes ultimately stepping away from the limelight and hopes that through smart investments and his social-media business he will be able to retire from modelling and content creation. The goal is to build a sustainable future that will allow him to focus on the things that truly matter to him: friends, family and (many more) dogs.
Looking back, Marc admits that he’s often prioritised work over personal, life-enhancing experiences. “I’ve been working for most of my life and I missed all those opportunities with friends. I’m still alive, so I hope that I can now have them without putting work first.”
What’s on his bucket list? He would like to revisit the places he’s travelled to but this time with someone special. “Imagine going on all these adventures,” he says, “but this time with someone you love. Isn’t that romantic?”
It’s clear that Marc’s journey going forward is about more than fame. He is determined to make the next chapter about fulfilment and connection, on his own terms.
Get to know Marc
Date of Birth:
2 December 1982
Favourite City:
New York
Favourite Adventure Sport:
River rafting
Favourite Meal:
Lamb shank
Travel Must-Have:
Wagyu biltong
Marc according to LuSi:
He’s a lot more sensitive than you know and that’s why I’m here for him.
Words Rughsaar Bibi Ismail
Production: Sven Alberding
Photos: Kyle Springate
Also read: Get to know Lunga Shabalala
