‘My Benny boy’: Schapelle Corby confirms that she’s still dating Ben Panangian but admits that they haven’t seen each other in almost two years
Schapelle Corby has been dating Indonesian paddleboard instructor Ben Panangian for more than a decade.
In a new interview with The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Thursday, Schapelle confirmed that her relationship with Ben is still going strong.
However, the convicted drug smuggler, 43, also admitted that the couple haven’t seen each other in almost two years.
‘We’re still together’: In a new interview on Thursday, Schapelle Corby confirmed that her relationship with Ben Panangian is still going strong. (Pictured together)
‘My Benny boy,’ she gushed. ‘Yes, we’re still together. We haven’t seen each other since February, 2019.’
According to New Idea, Schapelle and Ben first met in 2006 at a church service in Kerobokan Prison while they were both serving time for drug offences.
Ben had been sentenced to three-and-a-half years for marijuana possession after being busted smoking socially at the beach with some friends.
‘We haven’t seen each other since February, 2019’: However, the convicted drug smuggler, 43, admitted that the couple haven’t seen each other in almost two years
Once he was released, Ben continued visiting Schapelle behind bars and supported her throughout her depression and struggles with prison-induced mental illness.
Once Schapelle was released and moved back to Australia, the couple continued their long distance relationship.
Due to their drug convictions, Ben has been unable to visit Schapelle in Australia.
However, the pair have enjoyed several overseas vacations together in places like Thailand and Vietnam.
True love: Because Ben is unable to visit Schapelle in Australia due to a past drug conviction, the couple are forced to have a long distance relationship
‘We dream of getting back together,’ Ben told New Idea back in 2017.
‘But we don’t speak of marriage or children. Once we know if we can see each other again, we can talk about it.’
In a previous interview, Schapelle revealed that the pair stay in contact through daily video chats.
Schapelle is currently preparing to return to the spotlight as a cast member in Channel Seven’s new reality show, SAS Australia.
She’s back! Schapelle is currently preparing to return to the spotlight as a cast member in Channel Seven’s new reality show, SAS Australia