Ben Rathbun, a former cast member of 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, died this week at the age of 55 after fighting stage 4 stomach cancer. Many fans recognized him for his controversial relationship with Mahogany Roca, who was actually his wife at the time of his death. Their marriage faced many challenges, with Mahogany, 25 and from Peru, leaving Ben multiple times, only for him to chase after her to reconcile.
This unstable cycle repeated, and although Mahogany agreed to marry Ben in 2024, their relationship remained troubled until his passing.
Ben’s life before reality TV was marked by chaos, including a felony embezzlement charge in 2018 for allegedly stealing $20,000 from a nonprofit. In 2020, he was arrested for driving under the influence and served 18 months of probation. He faced further legal issues last year for unpaid child support. Despite this criminal history, Mahogany stayed involved with him, but their relationship was often unstable, with Mahogany frequently returning to Peru and Ben following her to fix their issues. Their cycle of separation and reconciliation seemed more about appearances than true love.
While TMZ reported that Mahogany was with Ben in his final days, a family member on Reddit challenged this claim, stating that Mahogany was not present, and that Ben was surrounded by family instead. This family member also alleged that Mahogany leaked the news of Ben’s death to a blogger, suggesting she may have invented the details of being at his deathbed to maintain her image. Regardless of these claims, Ben’s death signals the end of a tumultuous life, and many hope he has found peace. His complicated legacy will be remembered by those who knew him, encompassing both his difficulties and acts of kindness throughout his life.