Camila Alves
Who is Camila Alves? 5 Things to Know About Matthew McConaughey's fiance. John Russo

Matthew McConaughey proposed to Camila Alves on Christmas Day, tweeting a cute picture of the longtime couple as the actor and his model fiance kiss by the Christmas tree.

But as McConaughey, 42, and Alves, 29, prepare to get married sometime in 2012, many fans of the Lincoln Lawyer actor are itching to know more about his future bride.

Both Alves and McConaughey have been in a committed relationship for many years, and both are dedicated to the jetset lifestyle and McConaughey's charity, the j.k. livin foundation. But who is Camila Alves?

Below are five things to know about Matthew McConaughey's fiance, from her history with the actor and her past as a model to her fashion label MUXO and the rumor that her mother Multo Abrigado may not approve of the pair's relationship.

1. Camila Alves and Matthew McConaughey already have two kids.

The couple, who met in 2006, already have two children as part of a long-term committed relationship: son Levi Alvex McConaughey, born in 2008, and daughter Vida Alves McConaughey, born in 2010.

The family lives between Austin, McConaughey's home state, and Malibu. Alves was perfectly content to raise a family with McConaughey without getting engaged. We've got no plans [to get married] right now, she told OK magazine in a recent interview. We're good as we are... We're happy as we are. So far, so good!

2. The Brazilian model has traveled all over the world.

Camila Alves has been modeling since she was 19 years old. Over the course of her jetsetting career, she has lived and worked everywhere from Paris, France and Milan, Italy to set locations in China and Africa.

For Alves, however, home will always be Brazil, her native country. I moved to Los Angeles when I was fifteen years old, she said in an exclusive interview with IBTimes, but my heart has never left Brazil, which is why so much of my inspiration is derived from there.

3. She's a successful designer.

Camila Alves became frustrated back in 2005 when, after years of modeling and traveling around the world, she still couldn't find a handbag to suit her needs and look fashionable on the go. So she and her artist/designer mother began some sketching ... and three years later, the MUXO handbag collection was born.

My mother and I designed our luxurious handbag collection around the African translation of Muxo-- 'goddess of the water'--to reflect the inner beauty of all women, the newly-engaged model said. We wanted to create a bag that was as strong as a woman's will power, as sensible as her daily decisions, and as unique as she is.

MUXO bags are sold at mymuxo.com through QVC. Typical bags for women and men go for between $212 and $1800, and are completely handmade.

The designs of our bags are greatly influenced by the places I love the most: New York and Brazil, Alves said. Our bags embody the exotic old-world sensibility of Brazil with their rich and earthy colors, heavy detail and embellishment.

4. Matthew McConaughey is proud of his fiance ... and fond of over-sharing.

The 49-year-old actor often praises Alves, 29, in public and in private. But at one high-profile event, McConaughey may have given away too much.

After the show last year my lady and I, Camila, [we] went back to the hotel and conceived the little lady who is now our daughter, he said at the Academy of Country Music Awards during his presentation of Best Male Vocalist.

I promise you me and Camila are going to try not to get so lucky this year. Two is enough. We're flush for awhile.

Overshare? Almost certainly. Still kind of adorable? See previous statement.

5. Alves' mother may not approve of McConaughey.

According to (likely unreliable) sources at The National Enquirer, Camila Alves' mother wasn't very happy when her daughter gave birth to a second child out of wedlock last year, and was pressuring Alves to try and get McConaughey to propose to her.

Camila's mother is very traditional, and she's worried that since they are not married, Matthew could leave her daughter high and dry with two kids if he falls out of love with her, a source said.

Alves' mother, Multo Abrigado, reportedly told her daughter that since he wanted you to carry his babies, he ought to take real responsibility.

According to The Enquirer, McConaughey was incredulous at the attack and exploded in reaction. I'll always take take of our babies, and you! he reportedly told Alves.

Though the story may not be true, the recent engagement between McConaughey and Alves is sure to please both families. It certainly seems to have made the couple very, very happy.