Benita Alexander-Noel is an award-winning American television producer, writer, and narrator worth $15 million. She is also the CEO of Berraca Productions.
She broke the first rule of journalism by falling in love with her subject Paolo Macchiarini, a once renowned surgeon who is now serving a 2½-year sentence in a Swedish prison for causing bodily harm but not assault on three patients he treated during his time at KI (Karolinska Institute).
She narrated in the Netflix docuseries “Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife” and her own show “He Lied About Everything” that she was manipulated and deceived by the surgeon who claimed to be friends with Barrack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Hillary Clinton.
Due to her experience with Paolo Macchiarini, Benita Alexander-Noel now works as a love con expert, helping other women suffering what she suffered.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Benita Alexander-Noel |
| Age | 58 years old |
| Date of Birth | April 21, 1966 |
| Place of Birth | USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Journalist, Writer, Producer & Narrator |
| Ex-Husband | Edson Ricardo Jeune |
| Ex-Partner | Paolo Macchiarini |
| Children | Jessina |
| Alma Mater | Wayne State University |
Net Worth
Benita Alexander-Noel, an Emmy award-winning American executive producer, has had a remarkable career in the media industry.
She has achieved significant success during her 16/17 years at Dateline NBC and roles like supervising producer on The Meredith Vieira Show and co-executive producer on TLC’s Breaking the Silence.
While the average American journalist earns between $58k to $110k annually (according to Glassdoor), Benita’s extraordinary career and accolades contribute to her estimated net worth of $15 million.
Early Life
Born on April 21, 1966, in the United States, Benita Alexander-Noel is the daughter of Sandra Attebury (mother) of East China, Michigan., and Ralph B. Alexander (father) of Huntington Woods, Michigan.
Her father “Ralph” worked as a nuclear physicist analyst for the Rowan Technology Group in Chicago, which specializes in industrial materials and coatings, operating from Huntington Woods.
Meanwhile, before retirement, her mother enjoyed a career as an art teacher at Webster Elementary School and Stevenson High School in Livonia, Michigan..
Benita is also the stepdaughter of Claudia Alexander and Fred Attebury.
Educational Background
Benita Alexander-Noel pursued her education at Wayne State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism with Magna Cum Laude honors from 1983 to 1987.
While at the university, she served as the General Manager of WAYN Radio.
Professional Career
Benita Alexander-Noel has had a diverse and successful career in the media industry for over two decades.
Currently serving as the Love Con Expert for Benita Alexander LLC since February 2018, she engages in public speaking and produces stories related to love cons. Additionally, she hosts the podcast “Benita & the Berracas.”
As the Graphic Executive Producer at Lion Television since May 2019, Benita has been actively involved in various projects.
Notably, she is the Executive Producer and Narrator for the 8-part series “ROAD RAGE” on ID INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY, which premiered in November 2023.
She also served as the Executive Producer for four seasons of “CRIMES GONE VIRAL” on ID INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY from 2020 to 2023.
Before her current roles, Benita held key positions at Efran Films, where she was the Senior VP of True Crime Programming and Love Con Expert from September 2019 to February 2021.
Prior to that, she served as the VP of Production/Director from March 2016 to May 2019. Her responsibilities included executive producing, show running, and directing digital and TV series.
Benita’s career also includes a brief tenure as Co-Executive Producer and Narrator for TLC’s “Breaking the Silence” in 2015, where she managed a team to produce a one-hour special.
Earlier, as the Supervising Producer for “The Meredith Vieira Show” from June 2014 to May 2015, she oversaw the field department of the syndicated talk show.
Her extensive experience in the media industry began at Dateline NBC, where she worked for an impressive 16 years, from March 1998 to June 2014.
Starting as a Producer and progressing to Senior Producer, Benita covered a wide range of stories and specials, including investigative pieces, crime, consumer reports, breaking news, and celebrity profiles.
Her notable achievements include coverage of significant events like the 9-11 attacks and specials such as “Inside the White House.” Notably, she won awards for her investigative work on Guatemalan adoption scams. In 2007, she assumed the role of weekend Senior Producer.
Love Twist with Convicted Surgeon Paolo Macchiarini
In 2013, Benita Alexander became entangled in a love twist with renowned Italian surgeon Paolo Macchiarini.
Their connection began while Benita worked on a TV special about Macchiarini for NBC reporter Meredith Vieira.
Benita was captivated by his tales of influential connections, including President Obama and the Clintons, and his extravagant lifestyle, including plans for a wedding officiated by Pope Francis on July 11, 2015.
However, her journalistic instincts took an unexpected turn, as she failed to discern that Macchiarini’s narratives were a web of lies.
Their interactions started during the production of a 2014 special focusing on synthetic organ transplants, requiring months of interviews between 2013 and 2014.
Amidst this professional engagement, Benita broke a sacred journalistic rule by engaging in a romantic relationship with her subject.
Eventually, in 2015, Benita called off the engagement. Her decision stemmed from suspicions about Macchiarini’s dishonesty regarding their wedding plans, professional life, and marital status.
This tumultuous episode unfolded as recounted in the Netflix documentary “Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife” and through interviews with media outlets such as ABC News and Vanity Fair.
Also, she produced a two-hour documentary titled “He Lied About Everything” in 2018. The documentary talks about her time and experience with the once-famous Italian surgeon Paolo Macchiarini.
Personal Life
Benita Jane Alexander-Noel married Edson Ricardo Jeune on October 18, 2012, exchanging vows aboard the Star of America, a 130-foot motor yacht, gracefully navigating the waters of the Hudson River. Despite the promising start, they have since gone their separate ways.
Notably, before her union with Edson, Benita’s first marriage was to John Wesley Noel IIi, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and NBC 4 New York producer.
The couple welcomed their daughter, Jessina, into the world in 2003. However, the challenges of their relationship led to their divorce in 2009.
Tragically, in 2013, John Wesley Noel III succumbed to brain cancer and died at the age of 62.