Ben Watkins, who was a competitor on MasterChef Junior, has sadly died at the age of 14.
The young star and culinary master was battling a rare form of cancer, called Angiomatoid Fibrous Histiocytoma.
The cancer is a soft tissue tumor that typically is seen in children and young adults, and he was diagnosed just after his 13th birthday last September.
In a statement on a GoFundMe page from his maternal grandmother and uncle, they shared that Ben passed away on Monday, November 16.
“After losing both of his parents in September 2017, we have marveled at Ben’s strength, courage and love for life,” the statement reads. “He never, ever complained. Ben was and will always be the strongest person we know. When Ben’s rare illness was shared with the world, he was so heartened by the outpouring of love he received from every corner of the globe — especially here in his hometown of Gary, Indiana.”
It continues, “Ben suffered more than his share in his fourteen years on this Earth but we take solace in that his suffering is finally over, and in that, in the end, Ben knew he was loved by so many.”
Ben lost both of his parents in a tragic murder suicide in 2017.
He appeared on season 6 of MasterChef Junior and placed in the top 18 on the reality competition series.
Just months ago, the cast and crew of the show recorded a special message for Ben during his battle.
