Let’s talk about birthdays and love! Food Network chef Sandra Lee celebrated her 58th birthday in the sweetest way possible—with smooches from her boyfriend, Ben Youcef. And she didn’t just stop at one kiss; she shared an entire carousel of romantic photos with her fans on Instagram. Now, that’s what I call a birthday gift to remember!
On Tuesday, July 2, Sandra took to Instagram to share a post filled with public displays of affection (PDA). Each photo in the carousel showcased the couple in different locations, capturing their love story in stunning backdrops. It’s like a love story come to life, captured in pictures.
“Best birthday gift ever was Ben!” Sandra captioned the post. “Thank you for chasing me up the street and not taking NO NO NO for an answer! You were right! Thank you, God, for such a wonderful man to get to kiss. Birthday tomorrow—so grateful for my love!! Happy Everything for Everyone! Sandy xoxo.”
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From Summer Love to Supporting Each Other Through Life's Challenges
Sandra’s romance with actor Ben Youcef began back in the summer of 2021, and it’s been nothing short of heartwarming to watch their relationship blossom. Ben has been Sandra’s rock, especially during some challenging times in her life. In 2022, Sandra underwent a complete hysterectomy, seven years after her double mastectomy following her breast cancer diagnosis. Through it all, Ben was by her side, providing unwavering support.
In a heartfelt Instagram post from March 2022, Sandra expressed her gratitude for Ben. “My sweet Ben is with me and will be taking a little time off work to stay home,” she wrote. “I’m so grateful for his and everyone’s support, my friends and family have been incredible.”
Overcoming Life's Challenges with Grace
Two years later, Sandra opened up about the obstacles she’s faced in life, including her very public breakup from Andrew Cuomo and her battle with cancer. It’s been a journey, but Sandra’s resilience shines through in every word she speaks. “The breakup was startling for everybody,” she told Closer in May. “The cancer diagnosis was the biggest thing, [along with] the challenge of getting so sick when I was going through the treatment. When I went to the [2015] Emmys, I didn’t realize how emaciated I was until I saw the looks on other people’s faces. Then I saw the pictures, and I went, ‘Wow. My body’s been through it.’ I’m so grateful to it for carrying me through those hard times. I had a pretty intense nine years.”
Love Around the World
Sandra and Ben have traveled the world together, creating unforgettable memories along the way. One of their most recent adventures took them to Paris, where they indulged in the city’s rich culinary offerings. “PARIS! The Food! Amazing—ate everything in sight! Drank champagne. Dessert! Chocolate. Divine!” Sandra captioned a photo of the couple from the vacation on June 10. “I wish you were here; we would eat and drink and critique all the wonderful rich deep flavors—I love analyzing what I think is in each dish based on the flavors that hit my palette. Amazing. Have a great week!!!! To me, food is research—what a gift! Sending Love SL.”
In another birthday post on Instagram, Sandra expressed her gratitude to those who have made her life so special. “On my birthday, I wanted to post some of the beautiful moments that I have had. Some of My family who I love endlessly and some of my friends who are so dear to me,” the cookbook author wrote. “I’ll get to see a few of them this weekend with some pictured here. I want to thank YOU ALL for making everything so special and for following me ON MY JOURNEY. And of course, to my Sweet Ben, Amazing Alx, Incredible Allison, and Lovely Lizanne.”
