90 Day Fiancé Alum Ben Rathbun Passes at 55 After Tough Cancer Struggle
Stop the presses and refill my cup—this news just punched me in the feels like a triple-shot latte. ‘90 Day Fiancé’ alum Ben Rathbun, the warm-hearted free spirit who won fans over with his trademark grin and slightly quirky Southern drawl, has tragically died at 55 after a prolonged battle with cancer. According to People Magazine, Ben first went public with his stage 4 multiple myeloma diagnosis in late 2018 and spent the next five years juggling rigorous chemotherapy, immunotherapy treatments and a seemingly endless parade of doctor appointments—all while keeping that indomitable reality-TV bravado intact.
TMZ reports that Ben passed away quietly at his North Carolina home on March 1, surrounded by close family and friends. His fiancée, Anamaria Medina, broke the news on Instagram, sharing a heartfelt tribute: “Ben was my rock, my laughter on the hardest days.” Fans quickly flooded the comments with memories from the show, recalling episodes where he lightened tense family dinners with goofy jokes or spontaneously serenaded his future in-laws. The original GoFundMe created to help cover his mounting medical bills—which racked up into six figures—has now become a virtual shrine to his enduring spirit, raising more than $120,000 (per the campaign page) from loyal TLC devotees and goodwill strangers alike.
As TLC’s official Instagram page noted, Ben wasn’t just camera-ready drama; he was an advocate behind the scenes, volunteering with local cancer support groups and using his platform to raise awareness about early screenings. Fellow cast members also weighed in—David Toborowsky called him “the kindest guy I ever met on set,” while “90 Day” favorite Anny “Nocy” Francisco remembered their impromptu karaoke duets in the off-hours. E! News highlighted the bittersweet irony that one of Ben’s last smiles was captured on camera during a recent reunion special filming, where he told producers, “I’m not letting cancer write my script.”
While we’re still sifting through tributes and fan-made montages on YouTube, one thing’s clear: Ben Rathbun’s legacy isn’t confined to his reality-TV fame. He leaves behind a collection of outtakes filled with belly laughs, a GoFundMe community turned memorial, and a fiancé who vows to keep his memory alive in every coffee date and karaoke night to come. Whew—that was a lot. I swear, I could gab about his courage and kindness all day, but right now I need another encore latte.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, TMZ, E! News, GoFundMe, TLC Official
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
