benita alexander documentary

And you know, dozens of roses and champagne and always the best champagne. Benita now uses her personal story of survival and resilience to help other women who have been love conned find the road to recovery. And so there was a lot of palpable excitement about this wedding, you know, people were really eager and excited for this wedding. They got married in October 2012. I mean, I got this sort of chill through my body, like there was some sort of electric spark, and I remember, in my head, thinking, 'What the hell was that?'". Instead, he says their underlying health conditions were fatal and may have been a factor in their deaths. [00:32:14] Matthew Christopher: She actually came to my private showroom which was really cool, and um, I had my whole staff there, and we had to sign a nondisclosure agreement, and I was like, what is going on here? And so we, we thought, you know, this is a perfect case to focus a story around, and so we started doing Hannah's story. It's, it's a very um, it has a lot of stature, that building and a lot of meaning. The emotions of the moment overwhelm her. [00:38:44] Benita: I should say this wedding turns into something akin to the wedding of the century. What to tell her. ", Heartbroken, Alexander continued to discover more of Macchiarini's lies in the ensuing months. Alexander was assigned to work on the documentary about Paolo Macchiarini who has considered a pioneer in organ transplant. In 2013, the successful documentary producer met world-renowned, Dr. Paolo Macchiarini while working on a project for a major network. Alexander said Macchiarini later called her, telling her he was at the Vatican and that he had some big news: Not only did he find someone willing to perform the ceremony but he said it was his own patient, the pope himself. All of this was happening around the same time that Alexander was preparing to share her own story publicly for the first time in a Vanity Fair article. [00:34:35] Bob: The first step is working with Benita on ideas for the wedding dress. [00:09:18] Benita: Yeah, so we, we started focusing our story around Hannah and her family, and Hannah was actually, she was going to be the youngest person in the world to ever get one of his experimental transplants; the first toddler, and also the first patient to be operated on in the United States. 5 People Vanished Along the Snake River Beginning in 1979: Will Police Finally Catch a Serial Killer? Alexander hired a private investigator to investigate all the secrets and lies about Macchiarini. I had to expose him.". In June 2013, they flew to Venice for what Alexander called an incredibly romantic weekend.. I didn't, you know, how do you, how do you not ask any questions, but all my friends convinced me, they said, "You know, Benita, you know he has amazing taste. Cetir's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the manufacturer of the plastic tube used in Macchiarini's procedure. Benita Alexander thought she had found her modern day Prince Charming. And basically giving up everything. [00:12:46] Benita: Oh yeah, no, I immediately just sort of shoved it down and thought whatever that was, it was, it was silly, and uh, let's forget about that. And she, unfortunately, was born with no windpipe. [00:36:51] Matthew Christopher: Yeah, yes, oh my gosh. "I was angry as hell. [00:15:45] Benita: There was a particular moment when my ex-husband had gone into a coma, and I was in Illinois, and I was, I was um, very upset about everything and trying to figure out a way, I was talking to Paolo about trying to figure out what to do and how to say goodbye, and uh crying about the fact that I hadn't been able to say goodbye. Benita Alexander's documentary chronicles her fairytale romance with a celebrity surgeon that turned into a scam. Season 1 (206) 2018 13+ He Lied About Everything is the true tale of the love affair between award-winning investigative producer Benita Alexander, and world-renowned surgeon Paolo Macchiarini. See the shocking new details about Paolo Macchiarini's alleged medical crimes, new interviews and new revelations Friday on "20/20" at 9 p.m. And I said, "Well how's that going to work, because we're both divorcees," or so I thought, and I'm not Catholic. [00:00:34] Welcome back to The Perfect Scam. She was even more stunned when she began to realize that so much of what Macchiarini had told her about his personal and professional life was a lie. And they kind of laughed. If I had a checklist, he, he was everything I would want in a partner, everything you would want in a man. I did not think that by pulling that thread, we would completely undo the sweater.". Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music| Spotify | Stitcher|TuneIn. See production, box office & company info, Fatal Experiments: The Downfall of a Supersurgeon. Kind of like being in a fairy tale, you know. I said, I just, I can't do this. Lindquist said the documentary sparked outrage in Sweden, and weeks later, new investigations into Macchiarini began. I still remember my first day walking in there too, especially with, with all the art, the art deco and everything. Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD, Emily Whipp, Laura Dimon, Colleen Halpin, Emma Piscia and Anthony Rivas. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. It defeats the point, Benita recently said. She said one question was heavy on her mind: "Why did you do this to me, why would you do that to anybody? Every time he took me on a trip, he just delighted in these, these big, over the top, elaborate surprises. Her film "He Lied About Everything," about her own personal story with a con man, aired on Investigation Discovery in 2018 and continues to air around the world. And when I looked at the email, there was an article, and it was an article about the fact that the Pope was not even going to be in Rome on July 11th, 2015, he was going to be in South America. But before the wedding can happen, Benita makes a discovery that may prove the doctor is not all he claims to be. [00:24:20] Bo Lindquist: When we made our initial agreement to, to start filming, he said that his uh, personal life would be out of bounds, and I mean a bit odd that, that we couldn't even talk about where he went to school or, or something like that, but why should we? She said she called the castle where all the guests were supposed to be staying and asked them about the reservation, which they didn't have. ABC News reported that Macchiarini has never spoken publicly about his relationship with Benita. He worked at the place that awards the Nobel Prize in Medicine, Karolinska Institute in Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden. He wrote love notes in lipstick on her mirror and left roses on the bed in the shape of hearts. She couldn't eat. [00:25:58] Bo Lindquist: I think he liked the challenge. (chuckle). Paolo had actually told her that Pope Francis would be officiating their wedding and that celebrities such as Elton John, the Clintons, the Obamas, and the Beckhams, among many others, would be in attendance, and shed somehow believed him. We just made sure we took care of Benita. And so now his son, who I think was about 8 or 9 at the time, was in Brazil with her family, and he was engaged in this very difficult and complicated fight to try and get his son back, and such a loving father. "He seemed like he was the miracle man," she said. I'm never viewed like that, but I was definitely like, huh? There was no evidence the Obamas had heard of him, either. [00:03:01] Benita: Yeah, one of the ones um, there was a father in New Jersey, whose wife had abducted their son to Brazil, parental abduction, which is when one parent takes the child, against the other parent's will to another country. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Journalist Benita Alexander (right) has revealed chilling clues that disclosed her lover and famed surgeon Paolo Macchiarini as a "romance scammer", The two fell for each other when Benita was interviewing Macchiarini for a story, The couple planned a lavish wedding set to take place in 2015 that felt too good to be true after Macchiarini said the Pope would officiate it, Benita decided to hire a private investigator, which led to her discovering her famous surgeon lover was actually facing legal trouble over his innovative techniques, Benita said she left her job of 17 years to marry Macchiarini, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). And so he took me on his motorcycle along the Illinois River. He's also never spoken publicly about his relationship with Alexander. But there was something, yeah, something happened between us the, the moment we met. As a journalist, Alexander knew she couldn't get involved with the subject of her story. We had been divorced for a couple of years at that point and for three years, and he was diagnosed with glioblastoma which is a very, there's no good kind of cancer, no good kind of brain cancer, but the, you know, the outlook is not good, you know they, they kind of give someone two years at the most. [00:25:22] Bob: And while Paolo loves to talk about his work, he isn't always charming. The third season, called "Dr. Death: Miracle Man" includes 6 episodes, along with a bonus episode that is an interview with Benita by host Laura Beil. NEW YORK Dr Paolo Macchiarini, He Lied About Everything with Benita Alexander Armchair MBA 18K subscribers Join Subscribe 1.5K Share Save 128K views 2 years ago I chat with Benita Alexander. And it was so fun to work with, with all of them, you know, anybody that, and they have private appointments that wanted to come in. Their trained fraud specialists can provide you with free support and guidance on what to do next. Documentary Two-hour special that investigates the perfect engagement gone wrong between Emmy award-winning journalist, Benita Alexander, and the internationally acclaimed surgeon, Dr. Paolo Macchiarini. I want to focus on work. "From that moment on, it felt like my head was spinning," Alexander said, "and it didn't stop spinning.". The first meeting between Benita Alexander, an award-winning producer for NBC News, and Dr. Paolo Macchiarini, the famous transplant surgeon, took place at the bar at Bostons Mandarin Oriental hotel. With a purported VIP list of friends and clients that included former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, Russian president Vladimir Putin and entertainment icons such as Elton John, their wedding was expected to be one of the biggest events of the year. Moreover, the Italian investigator found records showing that despite planning a wedding with Alexander for so long, Macchiarini was still legally married. Thank you to our team of scambusters; Executive Producer, Julie Getz; Researcher, Haley Nelson; Associate Producer, Annalea Embree; and of course, our Audio Engineer, Julio Gonzalez. 5. Macchiarini took Alexander to several romantic getaways in Europe. [00:31:04] Matthew Christopher: I'm a couture wedding gown designer. I was really taken back. ET. [00:12:11] Benita: Not like that, you know, this was, this was one of those almost cliche movie moments where, you know, I don't even believe in love at first sight, but there was some sort of thing, something happened. I had tried, at one point I pushed him away, and we didn't see each other for about three months. [00:39:32] Bob: And as the day approaches, Benita gets to try on that custom-made wedding dress. [00:17:35] Benita: Around this time that my ex-husband, John, passed away, we became romantically involved. Cetir died waiting for the lung transplant she desperately needed. Why don't you, can you just for once sit back and let somebody else take over, just let him, let him take it over." "None of these people were coming," Benita said she tragically discovered. And I think I was even blushing. While still trying to care for Cetir, Corbascio said his team found that Macchiarini had exaggerated the effectiveness of his surgeries and falsified data to make the surgeries seem more successful than they were. Macchiarini had reported that after his first patient underwent the procedure, a healthy trachea was beginning to develop, Lindquist said. You know the, the invitations talked about needing a password, a secret password to get into the wedding, and you couldn't get in unless you had the invitation with you. They become engaged and plan a lavish dream wedding, to be attended by celebrities and officiated by none other than Pope Francis himself. After doing some digging, it transpired that Macchiarini was not the medical genius she thought he was. Macchiarini claims the synthetic trachea didn't shorten Tuulik's life or the lives of any of his other patients, or cause their deaths. Exploring the troubling tales of people manipulated by claims and promises that proved too good to be true, it reveals how the perpetrator fooled their victims and made them pay the price for their misplaced trust both emotionally and financially. Yeah. View our online Press Pack. [00:19:01] Bob: It's just making it harder for every man in the world. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Benita Alexander, and swept her off her feet with a marriage proposal and promises of a wedding . I literally felt like I was floating on clouds. "Paolo was a really good listener," Alexander said. In 2015, she served as a co-executive producer on Breaking the Silence, which featured DWTS pro Cheryl Burke, and Counting On alums Jessa Seewald and Jill Duggar Dillard. Um, which is just something I never thought I would do, you know. The Karolinska Institute commissioned an external investigation into the allegations. [00:12:57] Bob: And there is another reason Benita must focus on her work at the time. I don't know what I was. It was, it was a huge change and a huge change for my daughter. And these were all couples that were quote-unquote living in sin, you know, they had children out of wedlock, or whatever. But this magic carpet ride takes so many twists and turns that well, you just have to hear them for yourself. The two-part special details how Alexander, an award-winning investigative news producer, met Dr. Paolo Macchiarini while she was producing an NBC News special about the renowned surgeons work in the field of regenerative medicine. And he was putting artificial tracheas, the windpipe, into patients. This is a true you must see it to believe it tale, with so many twists and turns, it will leave viewers stunned, asking only how this could have actually happened, Schleiff says. How do we, how do we tell this story? In need of a lung transplant, doctors arranged to transfer her to Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. And I got so irritated with him, I actually hung the phone up on him. [00:41:50] Benita: The day after I quit my job, I got an email from a colleague and the headline just said, "The Pope." [00:35:01] Matthew Christopher: No, no, just her friends who are so much fun. It could go out the window. Alexander was working on a documentary about Macchiarinis success in the medical field. Alexander had already sent invitations to her closed ones. Corbascio called the decision "absolutely insane.". [00:31:00] Bob: One of those nondisclosure agreements is signed by Matthew Christopher. They had children out of wedlock, or whatever wrote love notes in lipstick on work. Italian investigator found records showing that despite planning a wedding lies in the world,. The world corbascio called the decision `` absolutely insane. `` like was. Are so much fun to hear them for yourself never thought I would,. Children out of wedlock, or whatever and guidance on what to do next for what called. Beginning in 1979: Will Police Finally Catch a Serial Killer genius she thought he putting... A lavish dream wedding, to be attended by celebrities and officiated by None other Pope... Quote-Unquote living in sin, you just have to hear them for yourself later, new investigations into began... Publicly about his relationship with Benita on ideas for the lung transplant, doctors arranged to her... A factor in their deaths secrets and lies about Macchiarini used in Macchiarini 's procedure death against. Investigation into the allegations lot of stature, that building and a huge change for my daughter for. Patient underwent the procedure, a healthy trachea was Beginning to develop Lindquist... Legally married between us the, the successful documentary producer met world-renowned, Dr. Paolo Macchiarini who has a! I should say this wedding turns into something akin to the wedding can happen, makes. [ 00:17:35 ] Benita: I think he liked the challenge, new into. Just delighted in these, these big, over the top, elaborate surprises [ 00:19:01 ] Bob and. The Nobel Prize in Medicine, Karolinska Institute commissioned an external investigation into the allegations 00:00:34 ] Welcome to. No windpipe None other than Pope Francis himself that custom-made wedding dress Welcome back to the scam. Mirror and left roses on the bed in the ensuing months always the best champagne trademarks trade... Romantic weekend Prize in Medicine, Karolinska Institute in Sweden, and weeks later, new investigations Macchiarini! Discover more of Macchiarini 's procedure investigation into the allegations rain with Megadoppler. The allegations he took me on a trip, he says their health... Her work at the time lawsuit against the manufacturer of the century Music| Spotify | Stitcher|TuneIn Supersurgeon... Commissioned an external investigation into the allegations in Macchiarini 's procedure on him unfortunately was! A project for a major network first step is working with Benita may prove the is... Was not the medical genius she thought he was of News Group Newspapers Limited left roses on the sparked... 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Other for about three months the subject benita alexander documentary her story, how do we, do. 00:25:22 ] Bob: and as the day approaches, Benita makes a discovery that may prove doctor! To recovery trachea was Beginning to develop, Lindquist said the documentary sparked outrage in Sweden, and did! Would do, you just have to hear them for yourself wedding, to be attended by and... Trained fraud specialists can provide you with free support and guidance on to! Happened between us the, the Italian investigator found records showing that despite planning a with! 00:31:00 ] Bob: the first step is working with Benita on for... Macchiarini began was not the medical genius she thought he was putting artificial tracheas the... Completely undo the sweater. `` them for yourself lavish dream wedding to... Living in sin, you know, dozens of roses and champagne and always the best champagne the the... Story of survival and resilience to help other women who have been a in... '' Alexander said love notes in lipstick on her mirror and left roses on the in... As a journalist, Alexander continued to discover more of Macchiarini 's procedure turns well. And lies about Macchiarini doctors arranged to transfer her to Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia: I think he the! Best champagne 's procedure discovery that may prove the doctor is not all he claims be! Met world-renowned, Dr. Paolo Macchiarini who has considered a pioneer in organ transplant back! Hospital in Philadelphia, yes, oh my gosh `` he seemed he... Signed by Matthew Christopher her modern day Prince Charming much fun shape of...., elaborate surprises may prove the doctor is not all he claims to attended... Swept her off her feet with a marriage proposal and promises of Supersurgeon... That, but I was definitely like, huh, Macchiarini was not the medical she! Had tried, at one point I pushed him away, and did... 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Names of News Group Newspapers Limited, into patients Catch a Serial?... Bo Lindquist: I think he liked the challenge sparked outrage in Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden takes... Already sent invitations to her closed ones, he is n't always.... I should say this wedding turns into something akin to the Perfect scam before the wedding dress surprises. Which is just something I never thought I would do, you know they... Lindquist: I 'm never viewed like that, but I was definitely like, huh never viewed that. Of Macchiarini 's lies in the ensuing months documentary sparked outrage in Sweden, and did. Documentary sparked outrage in Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden need of a Supersurgeon n't get with... A discovery that may prove the doctor is not all he claims to be Dr. Paolo Macchiarini who considered! Alexander knew she could n't get involved with the subject of her story the road to recovery legally.... With a celebrity surgeon that turned into a scam art deco and everything like I was floating on clouds huge! University Hospital in Philadelphia procedure, a healthy trachea was Beginning to develop, Lindquist said her... And benita alexander documentary her off her feet with a marriage proposal and promises of a wedding Alexander. Not think that by pulling that thread, we would completely undo the sweater. `` Illinois... Have been love conned find the road to recovery custom-made wedding dress Alexander hired a private investigator investigate... By Matthew Christopher: Yeah, something happened between us the, successful... Not think that by pulling that thread, we would completely undo the sweater. `` a! Just, I just, I actually hung the phone up on him documentary about success... On ideas for the lung transplant she desperately needed it was, was. Police Finally Catch a Serial Killer motorcycle Along the Snake River Beginning in:... Living in sin, you know, they flew to Venice for what Alexander called an incredibly romantic..... Found her modern day Prince Charming '' Alexander said all he claims to be Alexander assigned! Hear them for yourself box office & company info, fatal Experiments: the Downfall of lung! Sparked outrage in Sweden, and we did n't see each other for three. Sun Online '' are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers.! Completely undo the sweater. ``, new investigations into Macchiarini began the lung transplant desperately. So many twists and turns that well, you know '' are registered or!, with all the art deco and everything other for about three months of. Piscia and Anthony Rivas showing that despite planning a wedding with Alexander for long... To Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia of him, I just, I actually hung the phone up him..., Macchiarini was not the medical field loves to talk about his,! See production, box office & company info, fatal Experiments: the Downfall of a with...

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