Sandra Lee and Ben Youcef spark marriage rumors as they are both spotted wearing rings in St Tropez

Sandra Lee and Ben Youcef have sparked rumors that they secretly got married, as they were both spotted wearing rings while out and about in St. Tropez – hours after she revealed that her hormones are ‘basically nonexistent’ following her March hysterectomy.

The television chef, 56, and the Algerian actor, 43, are enjoying a romantic getaway in the luxury French costal town, and they looked like the epitome of a happy couple as they soaked up the sun on Monday.

The pair, who first started dating early last year and were rumored to have gotten engaged that August, were both seen wearing mysterious bands on their ring fingers during the outing – leaving many to wonder, did the two stars tie the knot?

Unfortunately, it’s unclear whether or not the jewelry pieces mean that they are now husband and wife, but it’s certainly possible that they wed in secret as they have stayed pretty tight-lipped about their romance over the last year.

While this isn’t the first time that Sandra has been seen wearing the ring, it appears to be the first time that Ben has been seen with his.

She was seen sporting the same piece of jewelry back in January, while enjoying some shopping in Malibu, California, with her boyfriend. 

The couple could hardly keep their hands off one another as they strolled through the popular vacation spot earlier this week. They were in great spirits as they walked hand-in-hand – chatting, giggling, and grinning from ear-to-ear. 

At one point, they even stopped to share in a big smooch, with Sandra placing her hand on her beau’s chest for the tender moment – flashing her sparkling ring right at the camera in the process.

They then headed to the beach, where they sat and enjoyed views of the stunning Mediterranean sea. At another point, Ben was seen giving his rumored new wife a kiss on the hand as they took a rest in the shade.

The pair was also spotted enjoying some snacks before continuing on with their date; she sipped on a bottle of water while he peeled a clementine, which they then shared.

Sandra looked stunning for the outing – donning a turquoise, patterned sun dress, brown sandals, and a pair of big, round sunglasses.

The flowing gown contained a plunging neckline, puffy sleeves, and a slit down the front of the skirt, which left her long legs on full display. She kept her blonde locks pulled back in a ponytail, while her side bangs swept across her face.

Ben, for his part, appeared comfortable in a pair of blue jeans and a white, button-down long-sleeve shirt, which he kept rolled up amid the summer heat. He too wore shades, and he carried a large, gray tote bag. 

The outing comes just after the TV personality, who is well-known for her cooking show Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee, revealed that she had a shockingly low amount of estrogen in her body.

Sandra, who battled breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy seven years ago, has spent the past few months recovering from a hysterectomy, which she previously said she decided to get after her doctor noticed a ‘change in some of her cells.’

‘Most of my blood work came back with very little issues other than my hormones are basically nonexistent! Most women on the low end are supposed to be at 120 when it comes to Estrogen, I am at EIGHT,’ she revealed on Instagram on Monday, while giving her followers an important health update.

She explained that she had been wearing an ‘Estrogen hormone patch,’ which was supposed to ‘elevate her levels,’ but added that she has now learned that it did ‘absolutely nothing.’  

She also revealed that her progesterone was low too – which she described as a ‘hugely important hormone when it comes to protecting her cells, especially against cancer.’

‘The good news is that my energy hormone is off the charts,’ she continued. ‘Lots of energy, which I always had.’

She is now set to get her blood checked again in six weeks. She revealed that she has now started an all vegetarian diet, and has begun to lift weights and take more vitamins.

‘Anything is better than feeling depleted, on edge, and/or emotional – AND not being able to focus,’ she concluded.

‘I’m thrilled! I’ll get more test results back in two weeks. Right now, this is the focus-  and I am fast tracked! Thank you God! This has been a great reminder you must be your own advocate and ask questions.’

According to People magazine, she and Ben first met at a Santa Monica restaurant last March, and by August, numerous outlets had reported that they were engaged.

‘It’s very early but they seem to have an undeniable connection,’ a source told People at the time. ‘He’s become her friend and loving confidante quickly.’

The Food Network star previously dated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for 14 years, but announced that they had split in 2019. 

‘Over the recent past, we have realized that our lives have gone in different directions and our romantic relationship has turned into a deep friendship,’ they said in a joint statement at the time.

‘We will always be family and are fully supportive of each other and dedicated to the girls. Our personal lives remain personal and there will be no further comment.’

‘I think she needed someone completely different from Andrew,’ another insider told People. ‘It took her two years for her to even consider dating again as she wanted to be sure she could make herself happy and to heal before she brought someone in her life.’

As for Ben, he was married to a real estate broker named Apryl Stephenson, but they filed for divorced in 2020, however, they are still legally married; they welcomed twins together, who are now five.

Ben is a model and actor, who has made guest appearances in shows like SEAL Team, Hawaii Five-O, Chicago P.D., NCIS: Los Angeles, Law & Order, and CSI: NY, and starred in movies like Future World, The Institute, 13 Hours, From the Rough, and Homeland Security.

‘He seems to be a good match as he has a deep understanding of all of Sandra’s worlds from her professional life to her dedicated focus on family and commitment to philanthropy,’ the source continued. 

While the New York Post claimed that he popped the question to Sandra in August – around the same time that her ex faced a huge sexual harassment sandal – the pair never confirmed the engagement news.

‘Ben really wanted to distract Sandra from all the news, so he whisked her away to Paris,’ a source told the Post at the time.

By November, another insider told People that things were heating up between Sandra and Ben. They said: ‘They’re inseparable. It’s almost like a first love for both of them,’ however, they claimed the reports that they were gearing up to get married were ‘just rumors.’  

While the two have stayed semi-private with their relationship, Sandra first spoke out about the romance when she shared a gushing post with her beau in honor of Valentine’s Day back in February.

In it, she admitted that she was almost ‘certain’ she would never find love after her relationship with Andrew ended, and that she was ‘shocked’ when she did.

‘So this happened! Ben happened! Love happened! Happiness happened!’ she captioned a series of photos that showed her and Ben cozying up.

‘I was certain it never would again. I was shocked when it did. I swore I would never fall again, trust again, love again, or open myself up again.’

She continued: ‘My wish for you is that no matter where you are, how old you are or what has happened, you can welcome hope back into your life again.

‘Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you – and to My Sweet Ben, thank you for making my heart feel whole again, alive again, and in love again.’ 

In April, Sandra called Ben ‘perfect’ and revealed at the time that they were in the midst of planning a summer vacation during an interview to Page Six.

‘We have all sorts of things that we want to do,’ she explained. ‘We have a list so this summer we’re going to take out a couple of things on the list.’

The pair have certainly lived it up this summer – as they were seen vacationing in numerous other spots aside from St. Tropez over the last two months. 

Back in July, photographers caught them enjoying a glamorous trip to Cernobbio, Italy, during which, they lounged by the pool and unwound in a hot tub. They were also pictured in Verona and Lake Cuomo, where they took a stunning sunset cruise.