Who Was Ben Rathbun? All About 90 Day Fiancé Star and His Cancer Battle as He Passes Away at 55
Trigger Warning: This article contains mention of an individual's death.
Ben Rathbun, known for his appearance on the reality TV show 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, has passed away at the age of 55. He died at his home in Greencastle, Indiana, on May 19, surrounded by his family. Rathbun had been fighting stage 4 stomach cancer, which was diagnosed late last year.
Ben Rathbun became a familiar face to 90 Day Fiancé fans during season 5 of Before the 90 Days. At the time, he was a 52-year-old father of four. Rathbun's story centered on his online relationship with Mahogany Roca, a 22-year-old woman from Peru. The show follows couples who meet online and apply for a K-1 visa, giving them 90 days to marry after entering the U.S.
Initially, some viewers and even Rathbun's own family worried that Mahogany might be catfishing him. She had refused to take video calls, which made fans suspicious.
Despite doubts, the couple eventually met in Peru and got married. Rathbun shared on the spinoff 90 Day Diaries in February 2024, 'Our civil ceremony was just brilliant; I could not believe how beautiful it was.' He added, 'But we are still planning on having a religious ceremony.'
Ben and Mahogany confirmed their engagement in a YouTube video in 2022, filmed during Rathbun's trip to Peru. The couple appeared together on 90 Day Diaries and revealed that they had already married months earlier.
Rathbun spoke openly about the challenges they were facing, sharing that they were going through a difficult transition. He mentioned that he had been without a steady job for about six months and that bills had been piling up, making things very tight. He said he was doing everything he could to pay the bills and save for his next trip to Peru. At the time of Rathbun's death, the couple were reportedly still together.
Ben Rathbun's life also included some legal difficulties. In 2020, he was arrested for operating a vehicle while under the influence and driving with a suspended license. He was sentenced to 18 months probation in January 2021. In 2022, Rathbun missed a probation violation hearing, which led to a bench warrant for his arrest. He later turned himself in and spent a night in jail.
In an interview with In Touch, Rathbun said, 'This was my fault because I needed to make sure I was getting all notices, but by the time I found out, it was too late, and I missed my appointment. So a warrant was issued for my arrest. I immediately drove 14 hours and turned myself in to the court and spent a night in jail.'
Ben Rathbun's passing was first reported by the Instagram page shabootydotcom and confirmed by TMZ. His battle with stage 4 stomach cancer lasted several months after his diagnosis at the end of 2024. Despite his illness, Rathbun spent his final moments at home in Greencastle, Indiana, surrounded by his loved ones.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
John Cena says he doesn't like K-pop — except BTS — at 2025 Fan Expo, reveals his bias; ARMY totally relate
FAN EXPO Dallas — Texas' biggest pop culture celebration — returned to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center from May 30 to June 1, 2025, bringing together fans, stars, and unforgettable moments. One such moment came courtesy of WWE icon and Hollywood actor John Cena, whose candid comment during a panel quickly lit up the BTS fandom, ARMY. While answering questions during a Q&A, Cena was asked about his thoughts on K-pop, especially given his well-documented admiration for BTS. Staying true to his straightforward charm, he replied, "I don't necessarily like K-pop — I gravitate toward BTS." His honesty struck a chord with fans, many of whom took to social media to say: same. John Cena mentioned j-hope and bts at Fan Expo in DallasJc : " j-hope is my guy" [🥳] Jc : 'I don't necessary like K-Pop, I gravitate towards BTS!' John Cena reveals his bias Cena went on to reveal his BTS bias without hesitation: "J-hope is my guy," he said, earning cheers from the crowd and sparking fan celebrations online. But it was his next statement that struck a deeper chord. "What BTS specifically did for me is they found me at the right time in my life to give me hope and inspiration through who they are as people," he shared. "They reached a 48-year-old dude who was struggling with self-worth." JOHN CENA RECENTLY MENTIONED HOBI AND BTS🫶 👤:j-hope is my guy👤:'I don't necessary like K-Pop, I gravitate towards BTS! What BTS specifically did for me is they found me at a right time in my life to give me hope and inspiration through who they are as people… they reached… ARMY relates deeply Clips of Cena's heartfelt words quickly went viral among fans, many of whom echoed similar sentiments — that BTS came into their lives during difficult times and helped them feel seen, supported, and inspired. For ARMY, Cena's message wasn't just celebrity praise; it was a reminder of the universal impact BTS has had on fans worldwide, regardless of age, background, or even music preferences. The way he mentioned that bts found him when he was struggling with self worth is so army coded way to talk bout bts 🥹 That's so good to hear. It's true that BTS finds you when you need it most 🥹💜 I'm so glad John Cena is sharing his beautiful connection with the boys' music. John Cena's love for BTS The wrestler and actor has never shied away from expressing his admiration for BTS and their message of self-love. The group, he revealed, helped him through a personal "moment of weakness" and even inspired him to write his books. His support goes beyond words — he's shared photos of BTS members, especially J-Hope, on his social media, proudly showing his appreciation as a true fan. When John Cena appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2021, he opened up about a difficult period in his life and how BTS played an unexpected role in helping him through it. "Around four years ago, I decided to have a vulnerable moment and post something thought-provoking on Twitter," he shared. "Back then, a lot of what I wrote was about self-love because I was in a rough place — I didn't see myself as enough." As it happened, BTS had just released their Love Yourself album, and Cena's posts struck a chord with the group's fanbase, ARMY. "It was amazing timing," he said. "Here I was, a 16-time WWE champion, talking about vulnerability, self-worth, and not being ashamed of who you are — things people didn't expect from someone like me." However, to his surprise, ARMY embraced his message. "I was essentially saying the same things as BTS, and their fans supported me. These books I've written now? They exist because the BTS ARMY was brave enough to lift me up when I was being open and honest. That support turned into a passion." He concluded, "I really have to thank K-pop — and especially BTS — for being there in a moment of weakness and inspiring me to grow." For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Deccan Herald
5 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
How Korea's tradition of quiet protests drives change
There is the South Korea of skyscrapers, snazzy cars, soapy dramas and K-pop anthems, and there is another, a quieter world. Silent demonstrations are a South Korean tradition that have often had a louder impact than any chanting crowds or violent mobs.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
'Mic Drop' moment at Miss World 2025? Ishaan Khatter trolled for dancing on BTS' hit track: 'A sparrow can never be a falcon'
The Miss World 2025 grand finale in Hyderabad was a night of glitz, glamour — and controversy. While Thailand's Opal Suchata Chuangsri was crowned the new Miss World, it was Bollywood actor Ishaan Khatter's performance that unexpectedly stole the spotlight — and not entirely for the right reasons. Khatter took the stage at the HITEX Exhibition Centre on May 31 with a high-energy dance routine to BTS' globally popular track Mic Drop. His attempt to blend Bollywood flair with K-pop swagger, however, sparked a storm of reactions online, particularly from BTS fans — famously known as ARMY. Indian Bollywood actor Ishaan Khatter delivers a breathtaking performance BTS's iconic song "Mic Drop" on the Miss World 2025 Ishaan Khatter trolled for his dance Social media was quick to respond, with reactions ranging from confused to outright critical. One comment that gained traction read: "A sparrow can never be a falcon," implying that Ishaan's performance fell short of the original group's standard. Many also questioned the choice of song, pointing out that Mic Drop was intended as a bold message to BTS' haters. Others criticized the choreography, saying it lacked the precision and power that BTS is known for. Some argued that the original choreography should have been respected, while others simply used the moment to further praise BTS for their unmatched stage presence and commitment to perfection. That said, not everyone was displeased. Some viewers appreciated Ishaan's energy and his willingness to take on such an iconic song on an international stage. They called his performance bold and entertaining, applauding his attempt to bridge two global pop cultures. He lowkey ate but I blame the choreographer! Very cool!! 👏 💜 Great timing too as it's BTS MONTH!! 🎵 Ishaan Khatter's dance grabs attention This isn't the Bollywood actor's first time drawing attention for his dance performances. His earlier routine to Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us also sparked mixed reactions online. But if there's one thing that stands out, it's that Ishaan isn't afraid to step out of his comfort zone — even if it means facing backlash. Despite the divided opinions, Ishaan's appearance at Miss World 2025 has once again shown that when Bollywood meets K-pop, strong reactions are inevitable — especially in a country like India, where K-pop has a massive fan following. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
