Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff, once the glamorous stars of TV’s most sparkling show, have found their love story unraveling due to the so-called ‘Strictly curse.’
After 12 years together, their relationship has come to a heartbreaking end.
The reason behind their split, however, seems to be tied to something far more difficult: severe financial struggles that have weighed heavily on both of them.
Financial Struggles Take a Toll
The couple’s financial woes came to light in an unexpected way during a court appearance in September.
Kristina, 47, a professional dancer, was caught driving without insurance.
Ben, 46, a World Cup-winning rugby star, took the stand and admitted to mishandling their car insurance policy.
He also revealed that he had been fighting to save both their relationship and their home amidst mounting financial stress.
A friend of the couple shared with MailOnline that the past six months had been “hell” for them, with their troubles tearing apart the love they once shared.
For the sake of their family, they’ve decided to go their separate ways, despite the hopes of their closest friends who had wished they could work through their issues.
A Dream That Turned Into a Nightmare
In the years before their breakup, the couple had invested everything into their yoga business, Soo Yoga Group, which launched in 2017.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic hit just as the business was taking off, leaving them with crippling debts.
The studio, which offered yoga, pilates, and high-intensity training classes, was forced to shut down after only nine months of operation.
Ben admitted in court that the debt was overwhelming, leaving them with nearly £1 million in liabilities.
Kristina spoke candidly about how the pandemic had crushed their dreams, saying, “I put everything into it, and you don’t even have a chance to develop the business.”
The studio had been a passion project for the couple, but instead of growth, it led to mounting financial pressure and, ultimately, emotional strain.
From Hope to Desperation
Despite their financial setbacks, the couple tried to make ends meet in creative ways.
Ben, desperate for cash, even resorted to selling topless photos of himself in a calendar, hoping to raise £33,000.
It’s clear from their story that they set out with high hopes of creating something impactful, only to be crushed by circumstances beyond their control.
Ben and Kristina’s yoga company, once a symbol of their shared ambitions, now faces a crippling £500,000 debt, and Ben has resigned as a director, leaving Kristina to handle the mess alone.
They also had to sell their £1.75 million home in Sywell, Northamptonshire, further deepening their financial troubles.
A Relationship Under Strain
Even though they tried to push forward, the strain was too much.
The couple had once seemed to be in a strong place after their engagement in 2022, with hopes to marry in either Tuscany or Oxfordshire.
But despite their enduring bond, the challenges they faced took a toll on their relationship.
As Ben told Hello! Magazine in 2023, “Over the last nine years we’ve been through the wringer.”
Kristina’s battle with depression during the pandemic added another layer to their struggles.
She admitted to struggling with her mental health as they tried to keep their business afloat and raise their daughter, Mila.
A Final Blow
Things took a turn for the worse when Kristina appeared in court to appeal a sentence for driving without insurance.
In tears, she explained that losing her license would be financially devastating, as she needed to drive to her ballroom competitions across the country and to take Mila to school.
This further highlighted the financial pressures weighing on the couple.
Though they once had big dreams for their future, the mounting debts and the strain of running a business together in the face of a global crisis have proved too much for Ben and Kristina.
Now, as they go their separate ways, it seems that their story has reached its final chapter.
The dream they once shared is no more, leaving them both to pick up the pieces and try to move forward.