It appears to be the end of an era for Toronto power couple Jessica and Ben Mulroney. After 16 years of marriage, Page Six has reported that the pair is calling it quits. We’re looking back on happier times — Ben shared their love story with us in 2014. A proposal in a diner coupled with a bacon cheeseburger marked the beginning of married life for Ben and Jessica Mulroney. Ben, the former anchor of etalk and co-host of Your Morning, pivoted to new conservative radio show The Ben Mulroney Show on 640 Toronto. Jessica, who used to be a fashion contributor on Cityline and Good Morning America before both shows cut ties with her after she was called out for anti-Black racism towards Toronto influencer Sasha Exeter, is still working as a fashion stylist. The former couple has twin boys, Brian Gerald Alexander and John Benedict Dimitri, and a daughter, Isabel Veronica (Ivy).
How they met
We met when I was about 17 and Jess was three years younger than me. My family had just moved back to Montreal, and while I was living outside of Canada at the time, I came home often to visit. My brother was at an all-boys school, and Jess went to the sister school, so I often saw Jess when I would hang out with my brother. At the time, I had never seen a more beautiful girl, and over time, that belief has crystallized into an absolute fact.
The first date
Our first date was many years ago. I had some time off during the Canadian Idol cross-country talent search and was going to be in Montreal for a couple of weeks. I thought, “I will never have a better chance to spend time with Jessica,” so I sent her a text. We went for sushi and karaoke (although I was the only one who sang that night). I knew about halfway through the date that we would eventually get married.
The courtship
Jess lived in Montreal, and I was in Toronto. Were it not for Air Canada and a massive amount of air miles I had accumulated, we would have hardly ever seen each other. There were a lot of quick trips in and out of Montreal while Jess would come visit me here.
The proposal
I got down on one knee at Chez Nick’s Diner in Montreal. It’s a place very special to both Jess and myself. Our parents have been going there since they were kids, and they used to take us as well. When I would visit Jessica, while we were dating, we’d always stop in so that I could have a bacon cheeseburger, fries and gravy and a black cherry cola (the only thing I have ever eaten at Nick’s). I mentioned how I hoped that, when we had kids, they would have a chance to make memories at Nick’s, too. At which point, I got on one knee, whipped out a ring and popped the question.
The wedding
We were married in St. Patrick’s Basilica in Montreal and honeymooned in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Their lives now
Growing our family is a great point of pride. Watching our boys and Ivy grow into incredible little people gives us more joy than I can describe. Another point of pride is how Jess and I have been able to find so many ways over the years to work together: whether it’s through etalk or on charity events, our careers often intersect.
Secret of success
I think making time for each other and remembering that, just because you have kids, it doesn’t mean you can’t have “couple time.”
Relationship advice
Every couple is different, so advice is tricky, but I’d say putting down your cellphones and having a true and real conversation with the person you love never hurts.
