Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen are engaged! Rugby player pops the question on holiday in Maldives as they say their love is ‘stronger than ever’!
Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen have shared the sweet moment of their engagement as the former rugby player proposed while on holiday in the Maldives.
The couple fell in love while working together on the 11th series of Strictly in 2013, although Ben was married at the time, and shared daughter Mila.
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Kristina, 45, posted a picture of the big moment and said Ben, 44, was “the biggest surprise of my life” getting down on one knee.
Tie the knot! Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen have shared the sweet moment of their engagement as the former rugby player proposed while on holiday in the Maldives
Talking to Hello! Magazine, she revealed the proposal came in the middle of her 16-day vacation.
They had taken a boat trip to a neighboring island when Kristina saw a heart made of lighted lanterns and the words “Will you marry me?”. written in the sand.
The Russian dancer said: “Although we had previously discussed getting married one day, I had no idea Ben was planning it.
“I was overcome with emotion and immediately said ‘yes, yes and yes’. My first reaction was wow.
Romance: The couple fell in love when they met on the 11th week of pregnancy in 2013
“It was absolutely surreal and I couldn’t believe what was happening. I’m usually very observant, but I had no idea Ben planned this. How he managed to keep it a secret was amazing.”
Ben said: “I wanted us to move forward together and to be on holiday in such a beautiful place felt like the perfect moment to do so.
“The scenery had to be very special and with the help of the resort staff we achieved that.
“It was really incredible and blew me away.”
Shocked: Former Strictly Come Dancing star Kristina, 45, said when Ben, 44, fell to one knee it was ‘the biggest surprise of my life’ (pictured with daughter Mila)
The couple is looking forward to celebrating their engagement with family and friends.
Kristina added, “After eight years with Ben, our love is stronger than ever.”
Ben and Kristina have struggled during the pandemic as their holistic wellness business SooYoga suffered during the lockdown.
The full interview is in this week’s Hello! Magazine, out now
They previously revealed they had not received any financial support from the government at the time, meaning their mental health suffered as well.
Regarding the troubles they encountered, Kristina said, “It’s easy to love someone when everything is rosy, but it’s a different story when life gets challenging.”
Cohen added, “Every love story has its honeymoon, but that eventually passes.
“Love has different meanings and for me it is a relationship with a partner who has been through difficult times with me and together we move forward.
“She is the person I want to have in my life forever.”
In 2016, the couple welcomed daughter Milena, shortening the Slavic name to Mila, on June 24 at Northampton General Hospital.
Ben is also a father to 13-year-old twins Harriette and Isabelle from his previous marriage.
The full interview is in this week’s Hello! Magazine, out now.
Parents: In 2016, the couple welcomed daughter Milena, who shortens the Slavic name to Mila, on June 24 at Northampton General Hospital (Ben pictured with Mila and daughters Harriette and Isabelle from his previous marriage