Courtesy of Ariela/Instagram; Courtesy of Biniyam/Instagram
’90 Day Fiance’ Star Ariela’s Boyfriend Biniyam Was Previously Married to an American Woman
History repeating itself? 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way star Ariela came clean to her family about boyfriend Biniyam‘s past, and it turns out the couple has a lot in common. Like Ariela, Biniyam was also previously married to a foreigner.
In the Monday, June 15 episode, Ariela, 28, revealed the details about Biniyam’s former marriage with her parents and siblings during a family dinner at their home in Princeton, New Jersey.
“Biniyam was previously married to an American woman and our stories bear some similarities,” the freelance writer said during a confessional. “She also got pregnant early on in their relationship.”
Ariela explained Biniyam and his ex-wife shared a 2-year-old son together, but their breakup was less than amicable. “I don’t know the specifics about why Biniyam and his ex-wife divorced. I do know they are not on speaking terms,” she continued. “She returned to the U.S. with their son and he hasn’t seen his son face to face since.”
Biniyam’s past relationship with an American woman was cause for concern for Ariela’s family. They questioned the Ethiopia native’s motives for being in a relationship with Ariela and felt he was only with her so that he could obtain a green card to come to the United States.
But that wasn’t the only obstacle the couple faced. Ariela’s family is Jewish, and she expressed no interest in converting to Biniyam’s religion, Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. Ariela also said she expected to raise her child with Biniyam, 29, in the Jewish faith.
Ariela and Biniyam were first introduced to fans on the season 2 premiere of TLC’s 90 Day Fiancé spinoff. The New Jersey native was also previously married to her first husband, Leandro. They met while Ariela was living abroad in Argentina, and they tied the knot so that Leandro could obtain a spousal visa to be able to move with Ariela when she returned to the United States. After seven years of marriage, Ariela and Leandro were separated and they finalized their divorce in 2018.
“I was young and immature and I definitely rushed into a responsibility that I wasn’t ready for,” Ariela said in her confessional.
After her divorce, Ariela planned to remain single and travel the world. While she was in Ethiopia, she met Biniyam while outside of her hotel waiting for a taxi. They became pregnant early on in their relationship. Ariela returned to the United States to receive prenatal care and fans will follow her journey on the show as she returns to Ethiopia so Biniyam could be present for their child’s birth.
90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way airs on TLC Mondays at 9 p.m. ET.
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