Uma Thurman, who played the sword-wielding Bride in "Kill Bill," is taking another stab at marriage, now that financier Arpad (Arki) Busson has proposed, her rep confirmed to the Daily News.
Busson, who has two children with supermodel Elle Macpherson, just presented Thurman with a engagement ring so big "she can't fit it through the sleeve of her coat," a friend said.
Thurman showed off the honkin' sparkler Thursday night at Elton John's British manor house, where he's throwing his 10th White Tie and Tiara benefit.
"All the ladies' eyes were buggin' out," said a spy at the Chopard-sponsored bash.
Thurman's spokesman confirmed the betrothal to the News.
A friend of her family said, "It's a done deal. They're already planning the wedding."
The couple hit it off last year at a dinner in Milan. She was coming off a three-year relationship with hotelier Andre Balazs.
She was also feeling the aftershocks of her divorce from cheating second husband Ethan Hawke. (Her marriage to actor Gary Oldman ended in 1992.
"Uma was dealing with visitation issues with her two kids with Ethan," said a friend. "Arky was going through the same thing with Elle. They bonded."
Busson surprised Thurman with the ring this week in London, where the couple attended a star-studded 90th birthday party for Nelson Mandela. "It was a really old-fashioned romantic gesture," said a friend.
"Everyone is so happy for Uma after what she went through with that stalker," added the pal, referring to Thurman's recent court ordeal with obsessed fan Jack Jordan. "Arki is a guy who can take care of her."
Thurman's romance with the Busson created some tension with her friend Macpherson, according to some reports.
The Aussie beauty, who was also at Elton's party, is bound to have some thoughts on Busson's interest in walking to the altar with Thurman, 38.
Busson proposed to Macpherson shortly after they announced in 2002 that they were expecting their second child, Aurelius Cy.
But, a few months after his birth, they parted. According to reports, Busson, a devout Catholic, refused to marry a divorcee, despite their out-of-wedlock children.
"Uma is hoping this time, it's really love," said the friend. "Everyone wants the best for her. And Arki is a really sweet guy."
Busson, born in 1963 in Switzerland, heads the EIM investment company, which manages assets of over $13 billion, according to the company.
The moneyman, who also dated Farah Fawcett, has homes in London and the Bahamas. In 2006, Tatler magazine voted him the seventh-most wanted person at a party.
Busson has also raised millions for children at risk through his Absolute Return for Kids charity.
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