While over 45% of single Americans are using dating apps to meet new love interests, many are worried about the interference of connection with the integration of artificial intelligence. Over 97% of Americans do not want artificial intelligence to interfere with their dating process. The global dating market is worth close to $1 billion and some high-net-worth individuals are paying half a million dollars for matchmaking services in hopes of finding their perfect partner.
Jennifer Donnelly, known as The Ultimate Matchmaker, has been a professional matchmaker for over 20 years specializing in finding long lasting relationships for high-net-worth individuals. Even though access has become easier than ever, the art of true connection has faded. Seeing this, Donnelly has led a matchmaking revival. Access has become exponentially easier, but the true art of connection, unfortunately, has gone in the opposite direction in today’s world. “For my clientele, meeting a wide array of people at any time, from any place, is hardly a challenge. The real challenge is finding someone who aligns with their core values, accomplished lifestyle, and ambitious goals—without giving up their hard-earned privacy to do so. Imagine the intricacies of being highly successful across multiple arenas, from business to philanthropy, yet struggling to carve out time to sift through endless ‘dating pools’ in search of that one ‘rare gem’—the person who truly fits into their unique, multifaceted life. My clients often rely on trusted teams to support and elevate their businesses and lifestyles. That’s where I come in: my private, bespoke service offers the same level of trust and expertise, optimizing their time and delivering results that are not just meaningful, but authentic. That’s the heart of what I offer,” she explained.
For Donnelly, her business revolves around one rare, specific need: helping individuals forge a deep, lasting connection that has the potential to stand the test of time. Her growth has been fueled by word of mouth referrals over the last two decades–only recently has she had a public website, “I started with no website, no ads, no flashy marketing campaigns, no sales teams—just a singular focus on delivering unparalleled quality and utmost privacy. That’s what draws people to me. My success has been driven by referrals, not fleeting trends. And honestly, that’s all I care about—delivering what truly works for the people I serve.”
The demographic she mainly serves are ultra-wealthy individuals with a client base of about 60% males and 40% females. With her rates ranging from $150,000 to $500,000, her success rate is conservatively 97%, she shared. “My clients have built extraordinary careers, achieved financial success, and cultivated rich, dynamic family relationships. What they’re truly seeking isn’t just access—it’s deep alignment. And they want to find that connection without putting themselves through the spotlight of a public search process,” she explained on why clients are willing to pay for her premium services.
The success stories Donnelly has orchestrated over the years is what fuels her, “I have so many success stories, and that’s truly the best part of my career—the beautiful weddings I get to attend. One story that really stands out is a series of referrals within a family. A client who got married referred a relative, who then got married. Those two relatives referred a friend, who is now also happily married. It became a quiet circle of successful outcomes. These are individuals who are incredibly high-profile, and that level of trust, passed from one client to the next, has been one of the most meaningful aspects of my work.”
When asked about any known divorces or breakups with any of her couples, she was happy to share that she was unaware of any divorces through her matches. She emphasized that ensuring matches are on the same page on multiple fronts while fostering deep, meaningful connections that stand the test of time is what she prides herself on. “The truth is, I define success individually for each client. For some, it’s marriage; for others, it’s finding a deeply committed relationship. What matters most is that we clearly define what success looks like for them from the very start—and then I deliver on that. Sometimes, after the very first interview, I’ll advise someone to return to their previous relationship—because, in my opinion, they already had what they truly wanted,” she shared. “They just needed to put in more effort. I operate from a place of honesty, not strategy. This isn’t about closing deals like most businesses. For me, it’s about integrity and the joy of transforming lives in a profound way. I tell people all the time: you may think you need me, but if I believe you don’t, I’ll say so. I’ve walked away from situations where $500K was on the table because I knew it wasn’t the right move for that person. I’ve said, “You don’t need me—you need to go do XYZ instead.” That’s what will get you the happiness or outcome you’re truly looking for.”
Donnelly has become the go-to expert in this space, and she attributes that to the way she’s maintained a very high ethical and authentic standard and focused on long-term purposeful results. “I’ve built this business through deep trust and real outcomes, not visibility or promotion. That model has resonated and reached people who value privacy, discretion, and commitment,” she added.
As technology and human interaction evolve, this centuries old service is having a renaissance and Donnelly is just getting started.