Ben Rathbun, who starred on season five of TLC’s 90 Day Fiancé: Before The 90 Days, has died at age 55.
The reality star passed away on Monday at his home in Greencastle, Indiana, according to TMZ. The Instagram page Shabootydotcom first reported the news.
Rathbun had reportedly been in the throes of a battle with stage 4 stomach cancer, which he was only diagnosed with at the end of 2024.
His final hours were spent with his loved ones surrounding him, a family source told the publication.
Ben, who was 52 at the time he appeared on the 90 Day Fiancé spinoff in December 2021, was best known for the online relationship he developed with his South American girlfriend Mahogany Roca. At 22, she was 30 years his junior when they appeared on the series.
Rathbun struck up controversy in March of 2022, when he was arrested in Michigan on a bench warrant for allegedly violation his probation stemming from a 2020 arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence.
Ben Rathbun, who starred on season five of TLC’s 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, has died at age 55. He was surrounded by family in his final hours after battling stage 4 stomach cancer, a family source told TMZ; pictured with the wife he met on 90 Day Fiancé, Mahogany Roca
Ben Rathbun, who starred on season five of TLC’s 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, has died at age 55. He was surrounded by family in his final hours after battling stage 4 stomach cancer, a family source told TMZ; pictured with the wife he met on 90 Day Fiancé, Mahogany Roca
He had also been driving with an expired license at the time, and he pleaded guilty and was sentenced in early 2021.
But after Rathbun didn’t appear at a scheduled hearing, the bench warrant was issued for his arrested.
He later claimed to have missed a notice about the hearing that arrived after he had moved, though he admitted that it was his responsibility to ensure that his address was up to date.
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Rathbun’s relationship on 90 Day Fiancé: Before The 90 Days appears to have been a success story for the reality series spinoff, which chronicles international couples who have struck up online relationships before they official set the clock ticking with the K-1 visa process that animates the flagship series.
In February 2024, Ben and Mahogony appeared on an episode of the follow-up spinoff 90 Day Diaries to reveal that they had gotten married a few months earlier, and they were reportedly still together at the time of his death.
In a bittersweet turn, she was among the family members by his side in his final hours, according to the family source.
At the time that Ben was appearing on the show, viewers doubted that he and Mahogony would ever meet, as fans reportedly felt that someone may have been catfishing him during their online interactions.
However, he turned out to be right all along, which was made clear when they finally met in person after striking up a virtual romance.
Rathbun’s relationship on 90 Day Fiancé: Before The 90 Days appears to have been a bittersweet success story for the reality series spinoff, as they were apparently still married and Mahogony was reportedly by his side at his death
Rathbun’s relationship on 90 Day Fiancé: Before The 90 Days appears to have been a bittersweet success story for the reality series spinoff, as they were apparently still married and Mahogony was reportedly by his side at his death
At the time that Ben was appearing on the show, viewers doubted that he and Mahogony would ever meet, as fans reportedly felt that someone may have been catfishing him during their online interactions
At the time that Ben was appearing on the show, viewers doubted that he and Mahogony would ever meet, as fans reportedly felt that someone may have been catfishing him during their online interactions
Rathbun was arrested on a bench warrant in 2022 over a parole violation from a 2020 arrest for driving under the influence. He admitted to missing a hearing and claimed the notice went to his old address
Rathbun was arrested on a bench warrant in 2022 over a parole violation from a 2020 arrest for driving under the influence. He admitted to missing a hearing and claimed the notice went to his old address
There were still bumps along the road, as Rathbun had an awkward first meeting with Roca when he flew to Peru to meet her for the first time, which was also when he learned that his new love — who had told him she was 24 — was in fact only 22.
In a YouTube video posted in 2022, the couple documented their engagement, which took place on one of Ben’s t
rips to see Mahogony in Peru.
Ironically, Ben opted to pop the question at the same restaurant that he had his first awkward encounter with his future wife.
‘I just asked her to be my wife and she said…’ Ben said in the video, with Mahogany adding, ‘Yes,’ according to In Touch.
Rathbun had worked as the executive director of the Michigan Lupus Foundation, but he revealed shortly after his DUI arrest in March 2022 that he had been fired.
He said the job loss would ‘serve to humble me and allow greater growth in me as a person.’
According to Rathbun, he later found another service-oriented job.
