The basketball player and the 'Love Island' host got engaged in December 2021, before the pair decided to call it quits in July 2022 because they 'couldn't make their schedules align.'
- Jan 24, 2023
AceShowbiz - Ben Simmons apparently regretted surprising his then-fiancee Maya Jama with $1 million ring when he proposed to her in 2021. According to a new report, the basketball player sent the "Love Island" host a legal letter demanding that she return the expensive ring following their split.
Maya was allegedly surprised by the legal paper. "Given Ben has never, until now, asked for the ring back, you can appreciate the letter came somewhat as a surprise to Maya," an insider told The Sun.
The TV personality, however, wasn't the only one who was surprised. "Ben was in shock when she left and didn't give him the ring back," the source added. "He was madly in love with her. [He] thought it was forever so was really pissed she didn't give it back. It cost around $1 million and they were engaged less than a year."
A rep of Maya confirmed the legal demand in a statement to Daily Mail. "Maya received a request from Ben's representatives on Friday afternoon. It asked her to return the engagement ring that he gave her as a gift last year," the rep shared. "This was the first time that she has been asked by Ben to return it. For the avoidance of any doubt, she has never refused to return it."
The informant claimed that Maya is "making arrangements to return the ring to Ben." It was also said that European entertainer "wishes him all the best."
Ben and Maya got engaged in December 2021 after months of dating. "Ben adores Maya and has fallen head over heels for her," a source previously said of the then-couple. Ben, who was previously in an on-and-off relationship with Kendall Jenner, allegedly picked up the ring on Jewelers' Row in the diamond district of Philadelphia the day before he proposed.
However, the two called it quits in July 2022 in order to focus on their respective career. An insider noted that the pair "were heartbroken to have to end things but just couldn't make their schedules align."
"It's been a difficult time for them. While they both care for each other so much, they truly gave it their all and realize that they just come from two different worlds. They now understand they don't have the time they thought to dedicate to this relationship," a source said at the time.
The source further elaborated, "After many long nights and hours of heartfelt talks, they finally realized as much as they love each other, their nonstop careers and endless travel have made it incredibly impossible to make it work."
