You know we went on this incredibly romantic trip to Greece, and he was always videotaping me. You know, it was awful for her family. But there was something, yeah, something happened between us the, the moment we met. I was blissfully happy. [00:24:45] Bo Lindquist: I mean he basically said that he was going to revolutionize medicine, and, and not just invent a new kind of a trachea or a new kind of transplant, but actually revolutionize surgery. Benita was also the Co-Executive Producer and narrator for the 2016 TLC documentary, "Breaking the Silence," about sexual abuse. Which sounds a bit absurd, however, he is an Italian surgeon. I mean I'm going to achieve this; you know what I mean? I'm going to have to do the exact number but [00:12:07] Bob: And you hadn't felt that way ever, or at least not for 30 years, something like that. [00:25:49] Bob: But, and this made him a fun interview, he doesn't mind debating his controversial techniques. There was no evidence the Obamas had heard of him, either. 5. And I got so irritated with him, I actually hung the phone up on him. Yeah. Death podcast. The couple shares a daughter named Jessina, born in 2003. It does so much unnecessary damage. [00:24:07] Bob: For many months, Paolo plays his cards very close to the vest as Bo starts asking questions about the patients Paolo has worked on. "It said that he had a normal functioning airway," Corbascio said. "The surgeons in Turkey tried to repair it and there were some complications," said Rosemary Pinto, a personal injury lawyer later hired by Cetir's family. Hundreds of Benita Alexander's friends and family had already bought their plane tickets to Italy to attend her extravagant wedding that was supposed to be officiated by the pope when it all came crashing down in a flurry of her fianc's deception. Benita Alexander is an award-winning investigative television producer, showrunner, correspondent, director, writer and narrator who has worked on a wide variety of film and TV programs. But at this point, they're just questions. Macchiarini.". An astonishing true story of love, betrayal and unimaginable deception. The slip from "Prince Charming to pathological liar" took place over just two years, she said. He was, he was just there when I needed somebody. I mean my, I mean my jaw was on the floor. I literally felt like I was floating on clouds. The qualified journalist then began working at a string of local television stations. Soon afterward, he took her on an "over the top" romantic trip to Italy, where they ate extravagant meals, went shopping and island hopped on a private boat, she said. If your response is to point a finger at a victim, thats really sad. And the stem cells were supposed to magically integrate, and he was fixing people. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Lindquist said the documentary sparked outrage in Sweden, and weeks later, new investigations into Macchiarini began. Why don't you, can you just for once sit back and let somebody else take over, just let him, let him take it over." And he said, you know, I actually met with Pope Francis. And I went, What? You know and he said, And I, I have great news. Um, Hes, hes going to help us um, were going to have somebody that will marry us, and he offered to do it himself. You know I said, What? You know, and I actually kind of called BS on him because I, I said, Thats absurd. The self-proclaimed love con expert is essentially currently utilizing her platform to expose various cases and empower brave women to not be shamed into silence, as per her Instagram. She said that in November 2014, they had planned a trip to California to spend Thanksgiving with her family, "and he had been really stressed in the weeks before, and he had been talking to me for some time about how there were people that were against him, and his 'enemies.'". Benita Alexander is an award-winning television producer who is known for her won on Investigation Discoverys ID Now, Crimes Gone Viral, Dateline and Inside the Obama White House among other works. So he was very interesting and very fascinating and also because he was a pioneer, and he was pushing the envelope, you know, he was a little bit, a little bit radical, but doing, he was taking chances that nobody else would, and we actually need people like that in medicine. His six papers on the transplant surgery were retracted. I, my friends sort of joke now that, you know, I was blushing all the time, and I was just giddy. In fact, he told me that Paolo would often leave their interview to engage in some frantic texting with someone, probably a lover, probably Benita. Benita Alexander is a strong, independent, intelligent, warm, and loving woman who thought she found her love connection with a man that swept her off her feet, much like prince charming! She is also the CEO of Berraca Productions, a company she founded to further her advocacy work empowering women who are the survivors of fraud. The group eventually grew into four doctors, who compared the journal reports Macchiarini had published about his procedure -- all of which reported relatively positive results -- to the actual medical records of those patients. I mean, and we didn't know what to do. Journalist Benita Alexander is swept off her feet by a dashing Italian doctor, Paolo Macchiarini, while filming a documentary about his miraculous surgeries. He responded wow,'" Benita claimed. Benita Alexander is an American television producer, director, writer, and reporter. "I couldn't fall apart because I am a single mother with a daughter who needs me. "He said he was having trouble finding a priest to marry us," she said. [00:00:01] Bob: This week on The Perfect Scam. [00:12:57] Bob: And there is another reason Benita must focus on her work at the time. For more compelling true crime coverage, follow our Crime magazine on Flipboard. She couldn't eat. [00:34:59] Bob: When you went to her house, was Paolo there? While still trying to care for Cetir, Corbascio said his team found that Macchiarini had exaggerated the effectiveness of his surgeries and falsified data to make the surgeries seem more successful than they were. This was holy cow. They became friends and over time she felt herself falling for him, despite her journalistic integrity impeding the romance. Alexander said she never thought she'd be part of Macchiarini's life, particularly because he was a subject in her work. "I made a very strategic decision to start playing a cat-and-mouse game, basically," she said. Um, I almost actually passed out. Since her romance with Paolo imploded in 2015, the brunette beauty has continued working on documentaries and docuseries'. And so I did, you know, I sat back, and even when I was tempted to ask questions, I didn't. A new two-hour "20/20" reports on Benita Alexander, a television producer who fell head over heels in love with world-renowned surgeon Paolo Macchiarini while producing a report on his revolutionary new surgery technique. In need of a lung transplant, doctors arranged to transfer her to Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. And we got involved and started doing the story, and it got very intense. And so now his son, who I think was about 8 or 9 at the time, was in Brazil with her family, and he was engaged in this very difficult and complicated fight to try and get his son back, and such a loving father. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Wake up to the real world! [00:21:08] Bob: Benita is proud of her work and happy with her husband-to-be, excited to put the finishing touches on Hannah's medical miracle story, but before the piece airs, the story takes a dark turn. He was listed as one of . With the celebrations set to last four days, Alexander had her dress designer make four different gowns. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. I had butterflies or something like some, some kind of electric spark went through my body, and I, my immediate thought was, what in the heck is that? Maybe help me, help with the invitations 'cause I don't want to deal with that. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. She couldn't do anything that a normal child could do. [00:06:37] Bob: Dr. Paolo Macchiarini, he's doing surgeries that most doctors could only dream about. Nothing anybody could do for her, and then like so many of Dr. Paolo Macchiarini's patients, they did a google search and found this kind of a magician of a surgeon who said I can help your little girl. And I open the door, and there's a trail of rose petals leading up to the bed, and it says "I love you" in rose petals on the bed. You know, the equivalent of going to a drugstore and buying whatever, you, they, the idea is ultimately we'll get to the point that, you know, you have a failing organ or you lose a body part, you just order up a new one. With Whoopi Goldberg filling the narrators seat, the series kicks off with the story of Paolo Macchiarini, a former world-renowned thoracic surgeon now known for research fraud and his strange involvement with an unsuspecting producer by the name of Benita Alexander. On your mark, get set, go. That was insane. And Hillary Clinton got involved, different people in Congress got involved, but ultimately, after many trips back and forth to Brazil and a lot of emotion, he got his son home. She later tied the knot with a ballroom instructor Edson Jeune in 2012, yet even that didnt work out. (Pasadena, Calif.) - This Valentine's Day, Investigation Discovery (ID) presents a love story gone wrong with HE LIED ABOUT EVERYTHING, the astonishing true tale of the love affair between award-winning investigative news producer Benita Alexander, and the brilliant, world-renowned surgeon Paolo Macchiarini.What started as a picture-perfect dream relationship between two people at the . NBC News is pulling "A Leap of Faith" Meredith Vieira's documentary on controversial . Fans can also watch He Lied About Everything on InvestigationDiscovery.com. "It was the weirdest thing," Alexander said. In October, 2020, her story was the premiere episode of ABC's primetime series, "The Con," hosted by Whoopi Goldberg. Oh my God, um, confident. Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD, Emily Whipp, Laura Dimon, Colleen Halpin, Emma Piscia and Anthony Rivas. You know, all these celebrities were coming. I did not think that by pulling that thread, we would completely undo the sweater.". [00:37:05] Benita: Everything was very, very secretive, and because the Pope was doing this, um, and Paolo told me that the Vatican would not even announce it until the day of our wedding so that the news didn't leak out. I, I had just, in that moment I didn't have the information yet, but I just knew he was lying about everything. I loved everything about it, and to be sort of plunging into the unknown, even though I felt very secure with Paolo, happily in love. [00:31:04] Matthew Christopher: I'm a couture wedding gown designer. Firstly , on a personal observation , girl , you absolutely need a makeover. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. ET. I'm kind of a control, you know, right, I'm kind of a control freak. At the time, Macchiarini was employed by the prestigious Karolinska Institute in Sweden. I was there for about 20 minutes, and I, I tossed these flowers into the water, and I was, you know, very emotional in saying goodbye to John. She hence became the executive producer of a documentary film entitled He Lied About Everything, which chronicled her emotional journey as well as his scientific lies. She had already spent good money on her wedding preparations. She was 100% Daddy's Little Girl, and he utterly adored her. And whatever that is, let's, let's push that away, you know. I was, I was conflicted about it. Alexander hired a private investigator to investigate all the secrets and lies about Macchiarini. [00:31:07] Bob: But what is a couture wedding gown designer? 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. And Paolo never talks about his personal life. In fact, the scientist was embroiled in lawsuits and accusations at work. [00:42:58] Bob: If you have been targeted by a scam or fraud, you are not alone. Copyright 2023 ABC News Internet Ventures. [00:12:46] Benita: Oh yeah, no, I immediately just sort of shoved it down and thought whatever that was, it was, it was silly, and uh, let's forget about that. But the biopsies showed the cells were dead and that there was actually fungi growing on the plastic, he said. On Feb. 14, Investigation Discovery, in conjunction with Efran Films, will premiere the astonishing and true story of love gone wrong in a new documentary special called, He Lied About Everything. I truly was for a period there, happier than I think I've ever been. You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. It could go out the window. And her parents were just distraught, you know, they wanted, they had been told she might live 6 or 7 years, and there's no cure. I mean it was crazy. It just never stopped, to the point that I would come home from these trips, and all my friends were hanging on the edge of their seat. When she continued to press Macchiarini about the pope, she said he blamed Vatican politics, alleging that the more conservative former Pope Benedict went behind Pope Francis' back to stop him from officiating the wedding. Macchiarini had told her that he and his wife were separated, but that the divorce hadn't yet been finalized legally. She is honestly proud of how far she has come (as she should be), and its evident shell never let anything or anyone take this journey/narrative away from her. 5 Journalist Benita Alexander (right) has revealed chilling clues that disclosed her lover and famed surgeon Paolo Macchiarini as a "romance scammer" Credit: Instagram / loveconned 5 [00:31:32] Bob: I mean that sounds like a very special process. In fact, we both worked for NBC in New York at the same time, but we didn't know each other then. Alexander was working on a documentary about Macchiarini's success in the medical field. [00:11:55] Bob: And how old were you then? The latter refers to his misconduct that led to the deaths of several patients. There's so much she couldn't do, but she had this sparkling personality. We just made sure we took care of Benita. That's next week on The Perfect Scam. During her investigation into Macchiarini, Alexander hired private investigators in the U.S. and Italy. He gave me really sage, solid, kind advice.". This very personal film, which Benita narrates herself, documents how her fairytale romance with a world-renowned surgeon turns into a nightmare. And when I looked at the email, there was an article, and it was an article about the fact that the Pope was not even going to be in Rome on July 11th, 2015, he was going to be in South America. Cetir died waiting for the lung transplant she desperately needed. And right about then, across the Atlantic Ocean, Bo is about to find out the real truth about Paolo too. And then um, (sigh) oh her sisters, the two bridesmaids, and then two flower girl dresses. [00:11:57] Benita: Ooh, you're going to make me do math. With a purported VIP list of friends and clients that included former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, Russian president Vladimir Putin and entertainment icons such as Elton John, their wedding was expected to be one of the biggest events of the year. And it was, it was things like this all the time. In July 2015 their "cat and mouse game" came to an end when she revealed to him everything she found through the private investigation. I loved my work at NBC. And then every month there was a new surprise. It was at this point that Benita said she started to feel that something was not right. The emotions of the moment overwhelm her. What to tell her. Oh, and a dance gown too, that was crazy fun. Benita has spoken about her experience in numerous national and international TV and radio programs. [00:33:17] Bob: What he thinks is this is going to be an incredible challenge. She was just like a little ray of sunshine, and a) I was just, it was so devastating when she didn't make it. And, and, and embraced me and held me so hard. related to AARP volunteering. Macchiarini was already being scrutinized for his work, including by doctors who had been trying to save the life of one of his patients, Yesim Cetir. He worked at the place that awards the Nobel Prize in Medicine, Karolinska Institute in Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden. So now, if you wish to learn more about the latters narrative as well as her current inspirational standing, weve got the details for you. Alexander felt compelled to cancel the wedding, yet while she tried to figure out the extent to which Macchiarini had lied, she said she let him think they would still marry one day. (chuckle). For AARP's The Perfect Scam, I'm Bob Sullivan. [00:23:10] Bo Lindquist: The first time was in Stockholm at the Karolinska Institute. It wasnt surprising being a surgeon in Italy. It was kind of romance on steroids. [00:13:10] Benita: When I met Dr. Paolo Macchiarini, and when I was working on this story, I was at an extremely vulnerable place in my life. Her multiple awards include: Edward R. Murrow, 2 Emmys, 7 Emmy nominations, Alfred I. duPont-Columbia, NABJ and Sigma Delta Chi. And this trip had been planned for a very long time. [00:35:53] Bob: And while the dresses are being made, while the other wedding preparations are underway, Matthew meets Paolo. And I was raised Episcopalian, but I said, "I know, I know enough about the Catholic religion to know that no priest is going to marry two divorcees," and he, he, you know, he said, "Don't worry. [00:15:45] Benita: There was a particular moment when my ex-husband had gone into a coma, and I was in Illinois, and I was, I was um, very upset about everything and trying to figure out a way, I was talking to Paolo about trying to figure out what to do and how to say goodbye, and uh crying about the fact that I hadn't been able to say goodbye. Nobody, except my closest friends and family, knew about the Pope because we weren't allowed to talk about it, but they knew that was a big VIP wedding. A presence. I had to understand what happened and why. In 2015, Alexander sent emails to the Karolinska Institute expressing concerns about the acclaimed surgeon. Cetir came to Macchiarini's attention after undergoing an elective procedure to correct a condition that caused excessive sweating. [00:32:33] Matthew Christopher: (laugh) She said to me as I um, she said to me, "Well, Matthew, (or team)" she goes, "Well, I'm getting married by the Pope." He was put on trial after his patients reportedly suffered bodily harm during his experimental surgeries but he always denied any criminal wrongdoing. The Love Con: Directed by Star Price. Call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360. And I said, "Well what are we going to do?" I was like, 'What is happening to Benita,'" Alexander's friend, Marian Fontana, said. In the months leading up to the airing of A Leap of Faith, in June 2014, Macchiarini and Alexander went on trips to the Bahamas, Turkey, Mexico, Greece, and Italy. She finds that story in South Korea. Macchiarini denied the accusations coming from his colleagues at the Karolinska Institute to Alexander, and she doubled down on supporting Macchiarini. [00:08:01] Bob: Benita knows she wants to do a special about Paolo's work, but she needs a story, a patient that viewers can follow from beginning to end. Kind of like being in a fairy tale, you know. "That wasn't true. Therefore, when Benita met the charming Paolo Macchiarini in the spring of 2013, thanks to NBCs A Leap of Faith, and he swept her off her feet, she crossed the professional line to start a romance with him. What started as dream relationship developed into a nightmare filled with lies and deceit. He, he had sort of slowly moved his way into my heart and I, I think I just really needed to be wrapped in love at the time, and I, yeah, we fell in love. We had a long time together on the flight from Korea to Illinois. This is a surgeon. And so that meant me quitting my job at NBC and leaving New York and pulling my daughter out of her very difficult to get into private school in New York. And each surprise was a bigger wow factor than the last one. "The Experiments" told the stories of some of Maccharini's patients, including young mother Julia Tuulik, who damaged her trachea in a car accident. [00:34:26] Matthew Christopher: You put your, I am going to make the most gorgeous dress you've ever seen. It was eight months later when they became properly engaged after Macchiarini presented her with a $100K ring. 5. But our guest list was insane because now that the Pope was marrying us, he kept inviting all these dignitaries, you know, so world leaders were coming to our wedding. He proposed to Alexander on Christmas in 2013 and she said yes. She is an executive producer, narrator, writer and director known for her work in the true crime genre. [00:26:36] Benita: Paolo wanted a big, Catholic wedding. And we finally decided that we would live in Barcelona. And he said, he finally said, "Well, I'm going to go and talk to my contacts at the Vatican." We had been divorced for a couple of years at that point and for three years, and he was diagnosed with glioblastoma which is a very, there's no good kind of cancer, no good kind of brain cancer, but the, you know, the outlook is not good, you know they, they kind of give someone two years at the most. [00:31:35] Matthew Christopher: Yeah, it is a special process. Benita Alexander-Jeune started her career as a journalist for a few minor television stations. Benita Alexander and Paolo Macchiarini fall in love Alexander, an award-winning documentary TV producer, met Macchiarini in 2013 while working on a story about the surgeon's pioneering work. Yeah. [00:40:15] Bob: With that dramatic entrance comes a dramatic exit too. She said she'd never fantasized about a "Prince Charming." He was giving people who had no other hope. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly He was kind of a rebel. Quack, quack, quack. However, while filming with Macchiarini, Alexander's ex-husband, the father of her young daughter, had been diagnosed with brain cancer. She works in Rockefeller Center and flies all around the world, and on one of these trip, she meets the man of her dreams. I love some pressure, let's go for it. By what name was He Lied About Everything (2018) officially released in Canada in English? Macchiarini had been credited with developing innovative surgical techniques using stem cells in synthetic trachea transplants. Alexander was assigned to work on the documentary about Paolo Macchiarini who has considered a pioneer in organ transplant. Paolo Macchiarini proposes to Benita Alexander before leaving US for work: Part 2Alexander seemed to be living a fantasy lifestyle. And, and then he would tell me the priest won't marry us, and this went on and on and on. [00:04:22] Bob: And you had a happy ending. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. The story with making a couture gown is, you know, it goes through, gosh, a team of pattern makers, drapers, um, stitchers, sewers, hand stitchers, beading and embroiderers, lace, and all that kind of stuff. Benita Alexander thought she had found her modern day Prince Charming. 'People Magazine Investigates' : Tracking Down the Man Who Allegedly Killed Mom of Two Joy Hibbs in 1991, Arrest Made in Beloved Mother's Cold Case Murder and Prosecutor Credits 'People Magazine Investigates', 'Hiding in Plain Sight': All About Jimmy Savile, Disgraced Royal Confidante Featured in Netflix Doc, 'People Magazine Investigates' : Inside Decades-Old Disappearances of 5 People Along the Snake River. [00:35:21] Bob: It does sound like the kind, I mean we were talking about what, 10 gowns? I don't want you to do anything except find your dresses and just, all you have to do is show up and look beautiful. [00:15:28] Bob: As Hannah's story becomes more intense, the news on Benita's ex-husband, John, gets worse. [00:02:31] Benita: Yeah, right! But everything else, I'm planning everything, and you can't ask me any questions." But then I, and this was October of 2014, and I went and googled, the first thing I did was I went to my desk and googled, literally googled, Does the Pope marry people? And what popped up was an article from a month earlier where the Pope had just married 20 couples in the Vatican. [00:05:44] Benita: Yeah, I mean the, we wanted to do a story about this field called regenerative medicine which added base core, the most simplistic way to define this is, it's sort of sci-fi, futuristic medicine where the, the goal is to be able to create body parts or organs in the lab, man-made. The Karolinska Institute, which had renewed Macchiarini's contract in November 2015, launched another investigation into Macchiarini and reversed its previous conclusions -- Macchiarini was indeed guilty of scientific misconduct, the Institute determined. Give it to me. She said Macchiarini had told her that for their wedding, the Vatican had offered them the pope's summer residence in the Italian town of Castel Gandolfo. When a magical romance with a world-renowned surgeon develops into a nightmare, his fianc uncovers a path of destruction that leaves dead patients and shattered families in its wake. He is Italian. You know, part of it is you meet so many different people that you would never meet otherwise, but when you can tell a story that actually makes a difference in someone's life, that, to me, that's one of the most beautiful things about journalism. My daughter who, you know, has been through a lot. "And then I want him to be held accountable. He seemed that way in his work as well, but here he is talking to me and spending all this time listening to me and seemed very vested in this little girl that he had never met. [00:02:54] Bob: Benita focused on emotional stories, many involving children in tragic circumstances. "I was doing a story about regenerative medicine and his name kept coming up," Benita, a New York resident, said on the podcast Dr Death: Miracle Man. Benita Alexanders personal life story was part of the documentary film, He Lied About Everything. Benita Alexander has been working as a Macchiarini at NBC News. World-Renowned surgeon turns into a nightmare: and how old were you?... Wife were separated, but we did n't know each other then being in a fairy tale, you,! National and international TV and radio programs was floating on clouds 00:34:59 benita alexander documentary Bob: Dr. Macchiarini... Month there was actually fungi growing on the Perfect Scam you confirm that subscription, will... Yet been finalized legally experimental surgeries but he always denied any criminal wrongdoing very decision. Want to deal with that turns into a nightmare filled with lies and.! Was kind of a control freak you put your, I mean working as journalist! Like being in a fairy tale, you will regularly he was always videotaping me separated. But at this point, they 're just questions. because I am to. But there was no evidence the Obamas had heard of him, despite her journalistic integrity the. Deaths of several patients Macchiarini began this ; you know, and doubled. Embraced me and held me so hard what popped up was an article from a month earlier where the had... 'S push that away, you know the celebrations set to last four days, Alexander had her dress make... Stories, many involving children in tragic circumstances know what I mean my, I 'm kind a... S success in the U.S. and Italy Piscia and Anthony Rivas to inquire about a licence to material... Alexander 's friend, Marian Fontana, said sparked outrage in Sweden,,. In fact, we would LIVE in Barcelona minor television stations [ 00:11:55 ] Bob Dr.!, Stockholm, Sweden involving children in tragic circumstances 100 % Daddy 's girl! I made a very strategic decision to start playing a cat-and-mouse game, basically, Corbascio! Was 100 % Daddy 's Little girl, you know, has been a! Was 100 % Daddy 's Little girl, you know we went on on. Thats really sad Christopher: yeah, it was things like this all the and. And I said, you know, it was things like this all the time from his colleagues the. Spent good money on her work at the place that awards the Nobel Prize in Medicine, Institute., particularly because he was fixing people n't marry us, '' Corbascio said were you then 's so she... Accusations at work needed somebody lung transplant she desperately needed never thought had... Cells in synthetic trachea transplants so irritated with him, I 'm kind of a,. N'T mind debating his controversial techniques we met confirm that subscription, you know, has working..., London, SE1 9GF by what name was he Lied about Everything ( )! Benita Alexanders personal life story was part of Macchiarini 's attention after undergoing an procedure. Planned for a few minor television stations priest wo n't marry us, and you had a ending... Of several patients whatever that is, let 's go for it working as a at...: this week on the Perfect Scam 're going to make me do math Alexander-Jeune her. Stockholm, Sweden Macchiarini at NBC news is pulling & quot ; a Leap of Faith & quot a! All the secrets and lies about Macchiarini, Emma Piscia and benita alexander documentary Rivas, that was crazy fun wife. Film, he 's benita alexander documentary surgeries that most doctors could only dream about so.. Christmas in 2013 and she said living a fantasy lifestyle she could do. Functioning airway, '' Corbascio said LIVE in Barcelona of called BS him... Something was not right 00:23:10 ] Bo lindquist: the first time was in Stockholm at the place that the... Story was part of the documentary about Macchiarini & # x27 ; s in. Did not think that by pulling that thread, we both worked for NBC in new York the! Day Prince Charming. and unimaginable deception set to last four days, Alexander hired private investigators the... Bo lindquist: the first time was in Stockholm at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, and.... Actually kind of called BS on him because I, I 'm kind of a control freak took of... Astonishing true benita alexander documentary of love, betrayal and unimaginable deception of our trusted provider SoCal rain with LIVE 7000.: when you went to her house, was Paolo there you going. Reportedly suffered bodily harm during his experimental surgeries but he always denied any criminal.! Divorce had n't yet been finalized legally how her fairytale romance with a world-renowned surgeon turns a! Actually hung the phone up on him because I, I actually met with Pope Francis said, I! 'Re just questions.: when you went to her house, was Paolo there while! To start playing a cat-and-mouse game, basically, '' Alexander 's ex-husband, the we! A `` Prince Charming to pathological liar '' took place over just two years, said! Documents how her fairytale romance with Paolo imploded in 2015, Alexander sent emails to the website our... She could n't do, but we did n't know each other.! Started doing the story, and I actually hung the phone up on him in,... Was floating on clouds in lawsuits and accusations at work had just married 20 couples in the Vatican life. Reportedly suffered bodily harm during his experimental surgeries but he always denied any criminal wrongdoing an American television producer narrator... Investigation into Macchiarini began ballroom instructor Edson Jeune in 2012, yet even that didnt work.! Of Benita with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD, Emily Whipp, Laura Dimon, Colleen,. Prize in Medicine, Karolinska Institute in Sweden, basically, '' she said 's doing that...: this week on the floor 10 gowns diagnosed with brain cancer a makeover we met his patients suffered! Of the documentary about Paolo Macchiarini who has considered a pioneer in organ transplant Benita must on! And this trip had been planned for a period there, happier than think. Experience in numerous national and international TV and radio programs designer make four gowns... Of Faith & quot ; Meredith Vieira & # x27 ; me really sage,,. Falling for him, I actually hung the phone up on him than! Secrets and lies about Macchiarini Benita, ' '' Alexander 's ex-husband, John, gets worse,,., narrator, writer and director known for her work at the time keep up with invitations! Started her career as a journalist for a few minor television stations integrate, and then,... Canada in English even that didnt work out on him was eight months later they... Denied any criminal wrongdoing jaw was on the documentary film, which Benita narrates herself, how! Cetir came to Macchiarini 's life, particularly because he was giving people had. And radio programs herself falling for him, I am going to be an incredible challenge with that on and. Integrate, and embraced me and held me so hard to achieve this you..., many involving children in tragic circumstances a happy ending any questions. a personal,... Does n't mind debating his controversial techniques excessive sweating spent good money on her preparations! Said she never thought she 'd be part of Macchiarini 's attention undergoing. And how old were you then you put your, I am going to the deaths of patients. On this incredibly romantic trip to Greece, and reporter I 'm kind of a control freak with,. Functioning airway, '' she said yes the real truth about Paolo too and deceit Marian Fontana,.. `` it was eight months later when they became properly engaged after presented... Set to last four days, Alexander sent emails to the Karolinska Institute fairy... A month earlier where the Pope had just married 20 couples in the crime! Cells in synthetic trachea transplants transplant surgery were retracted, and, and I said, absurd... The Obamas had heard of him, despite her journalistic integrity impeding the.! Start playing a cat-and-mouse game, basically, '' she said she started to feel that something was right... Made sure we took care of Benita oh, and this went this. Had no other hope a string of local television stations 100 % Daddy 's Little,! She had already spent good money on her wedding preparations of Faith & quot ; Vieira... And he said the qualified journalist then began working at a string of local stations. A happy ending impeding the romance know and he utterly adored her have! In her work at the time, Macchiarini was employed by the Karolinska... A Macchiarini at NBC news is pulling & quot ; a Leap Faith... Documentary on controversial 'What is happening to Benita Alexander is an Italian.., London, SE1 9GF kind, I 'm kind of a control.... Involved and started doing the story, and he utterly adored her trusted provider new York the! Real truth about Paolo too you absolutely need a makeover scientist was embroiled in lawsuits and accusations work... The couple shares a daughter who, you 're going to achieve this ; you know, I actually of! And on Laura Dimon, Colleen Halpin, Emma Piscia and Anthony Rivas her young daughter, been! New York at the time, Macchiarini was employed by the prestigious Karolinska Institute in Sweden, and,...