Kelly Bensimon is coming up after she called off her wedding to investor Scott Litner four days before the couple was set to tie the knot. She told PEOPLE that she “refused to marry him” because he refused to sign a prenuptial agreement.
Bensimon, who is 56 years old, tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview that “in the end, my decision is nobody’s business,” but he also says, “I understand that there is speculation and gossip, and I want to put an end to all of it.” He refused to sign a prenuptial agreement, and I refused to marry him. This is something that should be made explicit. Putting an end to it.”
Earlier this week, it was announced by PEOPLE that Bensimon had called off the wedding. An source close to the reality star said that she was taking some time for herself to refocus and recover amid a difficult period.
The former cast member of Real Housewives of New York City verified the news in a statement that was released to the public. She said that the wedding that was scheduled to take place on June 29 was canceled on Tuesday, June 25, and that she was “disappointed by this turn of events.”
“She was looking forward to an exciting new chapter in her life together with Scott when everything became clear to her late on Tuesday afternoon,” the statement read. Following the statement was a quote from Bensimon herself, which read, “He thought that I would enter this union without legal protections in place, that I would leave everything to faith.” On the other hand, I have always been a single mother who has made intelligent choices for both myself and my family, and I want to continue doing so. I have worked really, extremely hard.
The statement went on to say that Litner, who is employed as a wealth management adviser, “refused to sign a prenuptial agreement, effectively stalling their engagement mere days before the wedding.”
Several individuals have attempted to get a remark from Litner on the termination of the engagement; however, they have not received a response as of yet.
While the couple was on vacation at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, over the Fourth of July weekend in 2023, Litner made his proposal while they were there.
In the beginning, the couple intended to have two distinct festivities, the first of which would be a more intimate event that would take place at Litner’s mother’s domicile in Boston. It was planned that a more extensive party would take place at a later time in the Hamptons, when all of their family members and friends would be able to get together to celebrate.
Bensimon said in an interview with PEOPLE in December 2023 that Litner “blew me away” when she first met him. She went on to say that Litner is “just a really special human.”
After the couple announced their engagement, Bensimon immediately began moving forward with the planning of their wedding. In late May, she disclosed to PEOPLE in an exclusive interview that she had visited Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City to look for a wedding dress.
“I just want everyone out there who is getting married for the second time, third time, fourth time, fifth time, or whatever many times you have ever been married to know that you may contact me if you want, just in case you want someone to congratulate you on your upcoming wedding. The statement was made by Bensimon at the time. “I will be here cheering for you.”
Bensimon was formerly married to the well-known fashion photographer Gilles Bensimon from 1997 to 2006. From that time until 2006, she was in a relationship with Litner. Sea and Teddy are the two siblings that they share.