Juliana Custodio and Michael Jessen were featured on Season 7 of TLC’s 90 Day Fiancé, captivating audiences with their unconventional family dynamic and significant age gap. While they initially appeared as a success story, the couple announced their separation in October 2021. As of 2026, Juliana has built a new life in Germany with her husband and son, while Michael has largely retreated from the public eye following financial and personal challenges.
The Origin of Juliana and Michael’s Relationship
The story of Juliana Custodio and Michael Jessen began far from the suburbs of Connecticut. The pair met at a high-end yacht party in Croatia, an environment that immediately sparked skepticism among viewers regarding the power balance of their relationship. At the time, Michael was a successful wine investor and entrepreneur from Greenwich, Connecticut, and Juliana was a professional international fashion model from Brazil, nearly two decades his junior.
The initial attraction was described by Michael as "electric," a connection that transcended the 19-year age difference. However, their relationship faced immediate scrutiny from immigration officials. Before appearing on the show, Juliana had applied for a tourist visa to visit Michael in the United States, which was denied. This prompted the couple to pursue the K-1 visa process, the foundational premise of the 90 Day Fiancé series.
Navigating the K-1 Visa Process
The K-1 visa process requires the foreign fiancé(e) to marry their American petitioner within 90 days of arriving in the U.S. For Juliana and Michael, this period was fraught with more than just logistical hurdles. They had to navigate the complexities of Michael’s existing family life, which included his two children, Maxwell and CeCe, and his ex-wife, Sarah Jessen.
Unlike many other couples on the show, the tension did not stem from the ex-spouse. In a surprising turn of events, Sarah Jessen became a supportive figure in Juliana’s life, eventually officiating the couple’s wedding. This "modern family" dynamic became a hallmark of their Season 7 storyline, though it would later prove to be a contributing factor to the household's emotional strain.
The 90 Day Fiancé Season 7 Journey
During their time on the show, Juliana and Michael’s narrative was dominated by two primary themes: financial transparency and the prenuptial agreement. Michael’s wealth was a central focus, leading to questions about whether Juliana was with him for love or financial security.
The Prenuptial Agreement Controversy
One of the most memorable moments of their season involved the discussion of a prenuptial agreement. Michael’s mediators and legal advisors suggested the document to protect his assets and his children’s inheritance. Juliana, feeling insulted and misunderstood, famously remarked that she didn't want to be "a maid" or someone who had to ask for permission to buy things.
This conflict highlighted the cultural and economic divide between the two. Juliana had worked hard to support her family in Brazil through her modeling career, and she viewed the pre-nup as a sign of distrust. Ultimately, Michael decided not to pursue the prenuptial agreement, a gesture intended to show his full commitment to Juliana.
The Wedding Ceremony
In late 2019, the couple wed in a beautiful ceremony at Michael’s home. The event was unique because Sarah, Michael’s ex-wife, officiated the vows. This appeared to signify a peaceful and integrated family unit, where the children were comfortable with the transition. At the time, they were seen as one of the most stable and mature couples in the franchise’s history.
Life After the Cameras: The Impact of the Pandemic
The stability of their marriage was tested significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many families, the Jessen household faced unprecedented proximity. In a move that surprised fans, Michael’s ex-wife Sarah and her new husband, Sean Naso, moved into Michael and Juliana’s home during the lockdown to ensure the children could be with both parents.
While the arrangement was intended to be a harmonious solution to pandemic restrictions, it created a "pressure cooker" environment. Juliana later revealed that she felt immense pressure to maintain the household and care for everyone, describing herself as the primary person handling domestic duties for the entire group. The "modern family" dynamic that looked so successful on television began to crumble under the weight of shared living spaces and financial shifts.
The 2021 Split: Why the Marriage Ended
On October 12, 2021—their second wedding anniversary—Michael and Juliana both took to social media to announce their separation. The announcements were starkly different in tone, revealing deep-seated issues that had been brewing behind the scenes.
Michael’s Perspective
Michael’s post was melancholic, describing the split as a "casualty of the pandemic." He lamented the end of the marriage and expressed regret, though some fans found his tone to be somewhat self-pitying. He acknowledged that their situation had become untenable but seemed blindsided by the finality of Juliana’s departure.
Juliana’s Rebuttal
Juliana’s response was more assertive. She clarified that the pandemic was not the only reason for the divorce. She explained that she felt she had lost her identity and was the only one contributing financially and emotionally to the household's stability during the latter part of their marriage.
In her statement, she noted:
- Financial Strain: Juliana claimed she was supporting the family through her modeling work when Michael’s business ventures hit a rough patch.
- Emotional Burnout: She felt like a "maid" rather than a wife, echoing her fears from the pre-nup negotiations.
- Lack of Support: She expressed that she no longer felt like the "Juliana" she was before the marriage and needed to leave to find herself again.
The divorce was finalized shortly thereafter, marking the end of one of the franchise's most talked-about relationships.
Juliana Custodio’s Life in 2026: A New Beginning in Europe
Following the split, Juliana wasted no time in reclaiming her independence. She moved to Europe to resume her high-fashion modeling career, primarily working in Germany and Italy. It was during this period that she met Ben Obscura.
Marriage to Ben Obscura and Motherhood
Shortly after her separation from Michael, Juliana went public with her relationship with Ben Obscura. By late 2021, she announced she was pregnant with her first child. In May 2022, she gave birth to their son, Benjamin James Louis.
As of 2026, Juliana is fully settled in Germany. She and Ben Obscura have since married, and she frequently shares glimpses of her life as a mother and a successful model. Her career has flourished in the European market, where she has worked with several luxury brands and appeared in international editorial spreads. Juliana’s 2026 status is one of empowerment; she has transitioned from a reality TV star to a mother and professional who appears to have found the balance she lacked in her previous marriage.
Michael Jessen’s Challenges Post-Divorce
In contrast to Juliana’s upward trajectory, Michael Jessen faced a series of significant setbacks following the divorce. The period between 2021 and 2026 was marked by financial instability and legal hurdles.
Financial and Property Issues
In 2021, news broke that the Greenwich, Connecticut home featured on 90 Day Fiancé was in foreclosure. Court documents revealed that Michael had fallen behind on mortgage payments. This financial downturn was a far cry from the image of wealth projected during his first season on the show. By 2022, the home was sold, and Michael had to relocate.
Health and Privacy
Michael also dealt with health scares and the emotional fallout of his public divorce. He briefly remained active on social media, often defending himself against critics, but eventually moved toward a more private lifestyle. In 2026, Michael is reportedly working in the wine and spirits industry in a more subdued capacity, focusing on his relationship with his children, Maxwell and CeCe, who are now young adults.
Comparison of Juliana and Michael’s Current Status (2026)
| Feature | Juliana Custodio (2026) | Michael Jessen (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Residency | Germany | United States (East Coast) |
| Marital Status | Married to Ben Obscura | Single / Private |
| Children | One son (Benjamin) | Two children (Maxwell, CeCe) |
| Primary Career | International Modeling | Wine Industry / Consulting |
| Public Presence | Active on Social Media | Largely Private |
| Financial Status | Stable / Career-driven | Recovering from 2021-22 setbacks |
Key Lessons from the Juliana and Michael Storyline
The trajectory of Juliana and Michael serves as a case study for the "90 Day" experience. It highlights several critical factors that often lead to the success or failure of international marriages:
- The "Modern Family" Myth: While a friendly relationship with an ex-spouse is healthy, the extreme integration of Sarah and her husband into Michael and Juliana’s home created a lack of boundaries that stifled the new marriage.
- Financial Power Dynamics: The shift from Michael being the "provider" to Juliana being the "supporter" created a resentment that the relationship could not survive. This reversal of roles is common when one partner’s career is tied to international mobility (modeling) and the other’s is tied to local markets (investing).
- Cultural Isolation: Juliana’s move to a quiet suburb in Connecticut was a major adjustment from her life as a jet-setting model. Without a local support system or her own professional outlet, she felt isolated—a common issue for K-1 visa recipients.
FAQs About Juliana and Michael
Did Michael and Juliana have a prenuptial agreement?
No. Despite heavy pressure from Michael’s mediators and his ex-wife’s husband, Michael ultimately decided not to ask Juliana to sign a pre-nup. He wanted to show his trust in her, although Juliana later mentioned that the mere suggestion of the agreement caused lasting damage to her perception of the relationship.
Why did Juliana move to Germany?
Juliana moved to Germany primarily for her modeling career and to be with Ben Obscura. The European fashion market offered her more opportunities than she found in rural Connecticut. She has since established a permanent residence there with her family.
Are Michael’s children still in contact with Juliana?
While Juliana was very close to Maxwell and CeCe during the filming of the show, her contact with them has significantly diminished since the divorce. She has expressed love for them in past social media posts but has moved on to focus on her own son and her new life in Europe.
What happened to Michael’s house in Connecticut?
The home in Greenwich, Connecticut, was the subject of a foreclosure lawsuit filed by the bank in 2021. Michael faced financial difficulties exacerbated by the pandemic. The property was eventually sold, and Michael moved to a different residence.
Who is Juliana’s current husband, Ben Obscura?
Ben Obscura is a German businessman and art gallery owner. He and Juliana met shortly after her split from Michael. They welcomed their son in 2022 and have since built a life together in Germany, where Ben supports Juliana's continued modeling career.
Next Actions for Fans
For those looking to stay updated on Juliana and Michael in 2026, the best course of action is to follow Juliana’s professional modeling portfolio and verified social media accounts. She remains the more public-facing half of the former couple. For archival information on their journey, Season 7 of 90 Day Fiancé and the subsequent 90 Day Fiancé: Self-Quarantined episodes provide the most comprehensive look at their time together.
