MasterChef Junior contestant Ben Watkins has tragically passed away after an 18 month long fight with cancer, Variety reports. This tragedy occurs just three years after Ben lost both of his parents in 2017.
Ben’s passing was announced by his uncle and his grandmother.
“After losing both of his parents in September 2017, we have marveled at Ben’s strength, courage and love for life,” they announced on a GoFundMe set up for a memorial fund. “He never, ever complained.”
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“Ben was and will always be the strongest person we know,” their statement continued.
“When Ben’s rare illness was shared with the world, he was so heartened by the outpouring of love he received from every corner of the globe — especially here in his hometown of Gary, Indiana. We cannot thank this community enough for holding our family up in prayer and for all that you’ve done,” his family wrote.
“Ben suffered more than his share in his fourteen years on this Earth, but we take solace in that his suffering is finally over and in that, in the end, Ben knew he was loved by so many.”
MasterChef host and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay also took to Twitter to share his condolences on the tragic loss.
“We lost a Master of the @MasterChefJrFOX kitchen today. Ben you were an incredibly talented home cook and even stronger young man. Your young life had so many tough turns but you always persevered,” Gordon wrote .
Ben was just 14 years old.
Ben had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma and had been undergoing treatment for 18 months.
Our thoughts are with Ben’s family, friends, and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.
