Sandra Lee and Ben Youcef End 5-Year Engagement

TV chef and author Sandra Lee announced Thursday on Instagram that she and fiancé Ben Youcef have split after nearly five years together. Lee said she respects Youcef and their time together, and hopes he finds happiness.

Lee admitted she never expected to find love again after her 14-year relationship with former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ended. The engagement to Youcef surprised her, she said in the emotional post.

Now Lee says she's looking forward to being completely single for the first time in her adult life. She described the breakup as difficult but maintained a positive tone about both men in her recent relationships.

Youcef has not publicly commented on the split. The couple had been together since around 2021, shortly after Lee's relationship with Cuomo ended.