Benita Alexander Jeune & Dr. Paolo Macchiarini Scandal
In May 2015, Benita's fairy tale dream crashed! Her two-year relationship with a known `11111111surgeon was discovered to be a bride with a runaway groom. What exactly happened?
Well, the Emmy Award-Winning producer Benita Alexander Jeune came across surgeon Dr. Paolo Machhiarini in February 2013 at Boston's Mandarin Oriental hotel. At the time, the journalist was busy on a documentary with him, particularly during the production of the Leap of Faith. Romance sparked, and Benita was head over heels in love with Paolo.
Additionally, Paolo and Benita flew to Venice for what Benita called "an incredibly romantic weekend." Paolo even proposed to the beautiful woman with an engagement ring of $100,000 in 2013 Christmas.
Paolo also gifted her expensive Venetian glass & took her on a gondola ride under the Bridge of Sighs. Just like teenage lovers, they even locked lovelocks at the Ponte dell'Accademia bridge.
Also See: Who is Ava Simone?
During the time, Paolo had told Benita he was in a marital relationship with Emanuela Pecchia for 30 years but was estranged without legal divorce. Machiarini, however, kept insisting on marrying the journalist at the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo, Italy.
Together from their long marriage, Emanuela Pecchia and the surgeon even shared two children, a son and a daughter, however, their identities are not revealed. It is not learned whether the two are still married or not.
Further, it became so special because Paolo informed Benita that Pope Francis would officiate their wedding and referred to himself as Pope's "personal doctor." Not to mention, the VIPS guests would include Bill Clinton, Elton John, and Barack Obama, to name a few.
It was a perfect nuptial plan any woman could dream of. But unfortunately, Benita left betrayed and broken after knowing there was no wedding right on the wedding day. Paolo also excused that Pope, who was supposed to lead their much-awaited wedding, couldn't be present because he visited South America.
After the cancellation of the wedding, Benita, shocked, surprised, mad, and heartbroken, emailed Paolo," I believed you were exactly who presented yourself to be, to me, to my friends and family, to the world. Congratulations. You charmed me and all of us, into la la land. I will never, ever understand how you could have done this to me. Who the hell are you and what the hell is wrong with you?"
With the help of a private investigator, Frank Murphy, Benita discovered everything about her wedding was false. A public record review of Italy also indicated Paolo remained legally married to his wife of nearly 30 years, Emanuel Pechhia. Likewise, the Pope also had never promised to officiate the 'Macchiarini and Paolo wedding.'
The true story is available as a documentary on Investigation Discovery's He Lied About Everything.
Benita Alexander Jeune - Was Married Twice
Before Benita Alexander Jeune met her fraud fiance Paolo Macchiarini, she had been married twice to other men. Benita walked down the aisle with her boyfriend-turned-husband, a ballroom dance instructor Edson Jeune on October 18, 2012. The lavish ceremony was held on a 130-foot motor yacht, Star of America, in the middle of the Hudson River. Their mutual friend and Universal Life Minister for the big day Frederic Havez made the wedding official.
Before meeting Edson Jeune, the NBC news producer previously tied the knot with her first husband, John Noel, with whom Benita gave birth to a gorgeous daughter Jessina Noel in 2006. In 2009, Benita could no longer carry on with togetherness and decided to get a divorce 2009. John was also fighting brain cancer which ultimately took his life.
As for her daughter, Jessina has started attending college, as of 2022 and lives away from her beloved career-oriented mother to focus on her college degree. While Benita sure likes to keep her daughter behind the curtain from the media's eyes, she still loves to share what a special relationship she has with her child.
Well, Benita's 2021 Christmas and New Year couldn't be more joyful when her 'college-going' daughter visited her and spent the week with her to celebrate the festivities including the New Year. Not to mention, Benita even got beautifully scented candles with notes that read, "Thank You, Mom" and "Homesick".
As of July 2021, the hardworking Benita Alexander is unmarried and taking her responsibility fully as a single mother and bringing more severe stories to the world.
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