Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff, former Strictly stars, have made the difficult decision to sell their family home in Sywell, Northamptonshire, for £1.75 million.
This comes just weeks after they announced their split following a 12-year relationship, which has been overshadowed by financial struggles.
A Financial Struggle and a Broken Relationship
The couple initially listed their five-bedroom home for sale in September, after their financial woes were exposed in court.
Ben, 46, had spoken openly about their struggles, revealing in August that he was “fighting to save his relationship and his home.”
However, with the property they purchased in 2016 for £950,000 now on the market, it’s clear that the former England rugby player has lost both battles.
The couple, who share an eight-year-old daughter, Mila, had previously faced mounting debts, which have now reportedly reached £1 million.
The pair’s two wellbeing and yoga businesses also faced difficulties, with their accounts remaining unfiled for four years.
A friend close to the couple revealed that their finances had taken a toll on their relationship, ultimately leading to their separation.
The Fall-Out From the Strictly Curse
Ben and Kristina’s relationship had initially caught the public’s attention when they met on the set of Strictly Come Dancing in 2013.
At the time, Ben was married to his childhood sweetheart Abby, with whom he had two daughters.
His relationship with Kristina became infamous, and he eventually left Abby for the Russian dancer, a move that left Abby devastated.
Despite this, she expressed sympathy for Ben following his split with Kristina, acknowledging the struggles he now faces.
Financial Crisis and Business Failures
The couple’s financial struggles deepened after they invested everything into a yoga studio, which was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The studio, which offered a range of fitness classes, was forced to close after just nine months of operation.
With debts piling up and two businesses at risk of being closed, Ben and Kristina’s financial situation became increasingly dire.
Kristina had retrained as a yoga instructor, and the couple had hoped their new business venture would thrive.
Unfortunately, the pandemic brought their plans to a halt, and they faced mounting pressure from creditors.
Their company Soo Yoga Group was £488,470 in debt as of their last submitted accounts in 2022, with Kristina’s other business, Bespoke Ballroom Ltd., also facing financial strain.
The Impact of Their Separation
While their professional lives took a major hit, the couple’s personal lives were also affected.
After announcing their split, a friend shared that the past six months had been “hell” for them, and the strain had torn apart the love they once had.
Despite the heartbreak, they made the difficult decision to move forward separately for the sake of their family.
Ben and Kristina had hoped to marry in 2022, but the challenges they faced, both personally and financially, caused delays.
With their wedding plans never coming to fruition, their once hopeful future together ended in separation.
A friend commented that their situation felt like “karma” for Abby, who had been heartbroken when Ben left her for Kristina.
The End of an Era
The couple’s home in Sywell, which was initially put on the market after their court hearing, was recently taken off the market after months of being for sale.
The end of their relationship and the financial collapse of their businesses mark the conclusion of a chapter for Ben and Kristina.
As they now go their separate ways, their journey is a reminder of how quickly things can change, even for those who once seemed to have it all.