A brave teen who showed the world his resilience on MasterChef Junior has lost his battle with a rare form of cancer.
Ben Watkins appeared on the cooking competition show three years ago, at just 11 years old. The year prior, Ben had lost both of his parents in a domestic violence incident. Ben's father killed Ben's mother before taking his own life. Ben's grandmother and uncle became his guardians.
Ben was an aspiring chef who worked in his family's restaurant in Gary, Indiana, growing up. He made it to the top 18 during his time on MasterChef Junior.
Shortly after Ben's 13th birthday in September 2019, he received crushing news. Ben was diagnosed with angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma. The rare soft tissue tumor usually occurs in children and young adults. Ben was one of just six people in the world to be diagnosed with the illness.
Ben's family kept friends and fans updated on his illness on a GoFundMe account that was started for him after his parents' deaths.
Ben Watkins had a love for cooking from quite a young age. Ben worked at his family's restaurant, manning the front counter at Big Ben's Bodacious BBQ and Delicatessen in Gary, Indiana.
That came to an end with a tragic domestic violence incident in 2017. Ben's father, Michael Watkins, shot and killed Ben's mother, Leila Edwards, before turning the gun on himself. Ben was just 11 years old.
Ben's grandmother, Donna Edwards, and his uncle, Anthony Edwards, stepped in and became Ben's guardians. Despite his young age, Ben knew he was just one of many kids who lost their parents to domestic violence.
"I'm one of the lucky ones because I've got a grandma and an uncle who love me," he told the Chicago Tribune.
Ben had something to be excited about when he made it onto MasterChef Junior in 2018. Ben shared his dream of opening his own bakery or restaurant, just like his dad did. He quickly became a fan favorite and finished in the top 18.
Just after celebrating his 13th birthday in September 2019, Ben received heartbreaking news. He was diagnosed with angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma, a rare soft tissue tumor most commonly occurring in children and young adults. He was just one of six people in the world to be diagnosed with it.
His MasterChef Junior family sent him love during his fight. Gordon Ramsay and Ben's fellow competitors put together a video sending Ben their well-wishes just three months ago. They also encouraged people to donate to Ben's GoFundMe campaign.
One of the doctors working with Ben began to write a paper on his case as Ben battled the disease. The doctor didn't use Ben's name in accordance with privacy laws, although Ben urged him to do so.
"Do whatever it takes. I don't want another kid to have to go through what I'm going through," Ben told doctors.
Ben underwent chemotherapy and treatment for 18 months before losing his battle with the illness on Monday at 14 years old.
"We were praying for a different outcome," his uncle Anthony told the Chicago Tribune.
"But Ben's lungs could no longer give him the air he needed to breathe. It's been devastating."
Ben will help the medical community even further. He and his family consented to tissue being extracted from his cancerous tumor after his death. Researchers will be able to learn more about the rare illness by studying it.
When news of Ben's death became public, Gordon reflected on the young chef and his talent.
"We lost a Master of the @masterchefjunior kitchen today. Ben, you were an incredibly talented home cook and even stronger young man," he wrote.
"Your young life had so many tough turns but you always persevered. I adored our time cooking and laughing together on set. Heartbroken today losing my little mate, sending all my love to Ben Watkins' family with this terrible loss. Gx."
"Ben's life was grandiose in a way," Anthony said.
"Every corner that he turned had transformed into a statement. It's comforting to know he doesn't have to experience such pain and suffering anymore."
