Sandra Lee, 59, breaks her silence on shock split from fiance, 46, with surprising comments about ‘healing’

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Sandra Lee has publicly addressed her recent breakup with Ben Youcef, her fiancé of five years. The split came as a surprise to many.

The 59-year-old chef took to Instagram to share her feelings.

She announced on social media that she and Youcef had broken off their engagement, saying she’d given the decision a lot of thought.

Making this decision wasn’t simple or fast. Life is full of both wonderful moments and difficult times, and these experiences gradually change us. Sometimes, it takes a moment of quiet reflection to truly understand how we’ve grown.

And she talked about being tied down. 

She said she’s always valued her relationships and family, and she’s thankful for everything that comes with them.

This experience has prompted me to re-evaluate my life and move ahead with more focus, purpose, and self-awareness.

Lee then said nice things about her ex. 

Ben is a truly wonderful person, and I have a lot of respect for him and our history together. I sincerely hope he finds happiness in the future, and I’m focusing on finding it for myself as well.

The author shared that her next chapter will focus on personal growth, healing, and building a life that truly reflects what’s important to her.

Lee shared that this is the first time as an adult she’ll be completely on her own.

She described feeling both nervous and thrilled. She’s embracing the experience with thankfulness, poise, and a willingness to welcome whatever comes next.

Thank you all for your kindness and support, especially as I navigate life’s journey and make important choices. Sending you love, light, and peace – Sandra.

I was really sad to hear the news, but Jennifer Abel, Lee’s publicist, confirmed to the Daily Mail today that she and her fiancé have called off their engagement.

Oh my gosh, I’ve been following Lee for ages, and it was SO exciting when she started dating Youcef back in March 2021! He’s actually called Abdulwahab Benyoucef, which is just… amazing. And then, later that year, they got ENGAGED! I seriously couldn’t believe it when I found out. They’re perfect together!

Lee is a celebrity chef who appears on TV shows and an author. 

She’s famous for her ‘Semi-Homemade’ approach to cooking, where she combines pre-made ingredients – about 70 percent – with 30 percent fresh items.

So, I’ve heard the adorable story of how Lee and Youcef first connected! Apparently, it was back in March of 2021 at a charity event in Santa Monica. From what I understand, Youcef was the one who took the initiative and made the first move – how sweet is that?

He is a father to twins with his ex-wife, California-based realtor Apryl Stephenson.

They separated in 2019 and filed for divorce in January 2020.

Youcef proposed to Lee while they were traveling in France in August 2021, a time when her former partner, Andrew Cuomo, was facing accusations of sexual harassment.

According to a source close to Youcef, Ben took Sandra to Paris to help her take her mind off everything that was happening, as reported by the New York Post.

‘He knows how hard this has been on her and he wants to make sure she feels loved and supported.’

According to a source, Ben is very protective of Sandra, and the two are deeply in love – they’re a perfect match.

In August 2021, Andrew Cuomo resigned as governor after an investigation led by New York Attorney General Letitia James found he had sexually harassed eleven women.

The former governor, who has faced scandal, has refuted the accusations against him. There’s also talk that he might run against James in the next election.

On Valentine’s Day in 2021 she gushed over Youcef.

She excitedly shared, ‘It happened! Ben happened, and with him, love and happiness!’ She’d truly believed she’d never experience those feelings again, and was completely surprised when she did. She had promised herself she wouldn’t risk falling in love, trusting anyone, or letting her guard down again.

I’ll share the story of how we met on our anniversary, but until then, I hope you always find room for hope in your life, no matter your age, location, or what challenges you’ve faced.

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2026-04-23 21:51