La Toya Jackson: I'm engaged

La Toya Jackson has recalled how her "heart stopped" when her boyfriend proposed.

The 58-year-old star is set to walk down the aisle with her longtime partner in business and life, Jeffré Phillips.

Although La Toya has only just revealed the big news, her beau actually popped the question while they were on holiday in Hawaii last August.

Speaking to People magazine, she recalled how Jeffré set up a path of white roses and gardenias leading out to their hotel balcony. After being treated to her favourite food, including chicken soup, during a romantic meal La Toya was taken aback when her other half revealed a 17.5 carat diamond ring.

"I had no clue, I couldn't understand why he was so nervous," she reminisced.

"My heart just stopped. I was in total shock. We're best friends and we've been business partners forever. It was always professional – no one really crossed those boundaries."

This life-changing event follows rumours in December 2013 that the pair had married. However, shortly after the claims were made TMZ reported La Toya hadn't tied the knot.

Because she was so caught off guard by Jeffré's proposal, La Toya - whose younger brother was the late king of pop Michael Jackson - admitted "it wasn't a fast yes".

When quizzed on when she and her fiancé are planning to have the ceremony La Toya remained tight-lipped and only hinted that the big day will be seen on her reality programme Life with La Toya.

"You have to wait to see the show," she added.

Life with La Toya documents the star's everyday antics and can be seen on Oprah Winfrey's channel OWN.