Magnolia Network Star Gray Benko Announces Surprise Engagement

The news comes after the designer quietly separated from her ex-husband Mike Benko in 2023.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:18pm

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Magnolia Network star Gray Benko revealed she's engaged to Bobby McCullough in an Instagram post shared on Tuesday, March 17. The surprise engagement comes after she quietly separated from her husband Mike Benko in 2023. The exes previously starred on the Magnolia Network show Happy to Be Home with the Benkos together.

Why it matters

Gray Benko's engagement announcement and her previous separation from her husband Mike Benko, who she co-starred with on a Magnolia Network show, is a notable entertainment story that highlights the personal lives of reality TV personalities.

The details

In her Instagram post, Benko described how her engagement to Bobby McCullough came about, saying she has 'never gotten to experience falling in love with someone who, at one point, was just my best friend.' She added that McCullough 'makes me laugh harder than anyone else can make me laugh' and 'supports me and takes care of me and always lifts me up, no matter how hard the day is.' According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Benko and her ex-husband Mike separated in April 2023, with Mike reportedly moving out of their shared home that same month.

  • Gray Benko announced her engagement on March 17, 2026.
  • Benko and her ex-husband Mike Benko separated in April 2023.

The players

Gray Benko

A star on the Magnolia Network who was previously married to and co-starred with Mike Benko on the show Happy to Be Home with the Benkos.

Mike Benko

Gray Benko's ex-husband, with whom she co-starred on the Magnolia Network show Happy to Be Home with the Benkos.

Bobby McCullough

Gray Benko's new fiance, whom she described as her 'best friend' that she has fallen in love with.

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What they’re saying

“I know people talk about getting engaged to their best friend but, in this case, I mean it literally. I have never gotten to experience falling in love with someone who, at one point, was just my best friend. But let me tell you, it is magical.”

— Gray Benko

“The way he makes me laugh harder than anyone else can make me laugh. The way he makes life feel light for my children. The way he supports me and takes care of me and always lifts me up, no matter how hard the day is.”

— Gray Benko

“I can't wait to spend the rest of my life laughing with you. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life loving you and being loved by you. I love you doesn't even cut it.”

— Gray Benko

The takeaway

Gray Benko's surprise engagement announcement after quietly separating from her ex-husband Mike Benko highlights the personal lives of reality TV personalities and the ups and downs they can face, even as their careers continue.