90 Day Fiance: The Other Way's finale showed a heartbreaking separation when Tiffany Franco and her son Daniel left Ronald Smith in South Africa and headed back to America, so what happened next? Are Ronald and Tiffany still together and married, or have they split?
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Tiffany, a 27-year-old from Frederick, MD, and Ronald, a 29-year-old from South Africa, starred on the debut season of 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way, which just wrapped last week and will air Part 1 of the Tell-All special on Monday, October 14.
Tiffany met and fell in love with Ronald during a trip to South Africa with a friend that was not shown on the TLC spinoff, and Ronald quickly proposed marriage.
Although they got engaged, it took Ronald some time to tell Tiffany he had a gambling addiction as well as a lengthy criminal record.
Ronald and Tiffany seemed to hit rock bottom together, but then Ronald entered a rehab program for six months and tried to rid himself of his demons.
Tiffany therefore had to decide whether she should uproot her eight-year-old son Daniel and move across the world for Ronald, in spite of her hunch there were more secrets about his dark past.
Tiffany did, in fact, fly to South Africa again with her son Daniel, but she wasn't convinced her trip would become a permanent one.
Regardless, Daniel said he was so excited to meet Ronald -- whom Daniel called "Dad" -- in person, and Ronald couldn't wait to be a father figure in Daniel's life.
Although Daniel was happy about potentially moving to South Africa long-term for Ronald, he was sad about leaving his friends and the rest of his family.
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Once Tiffany arrived in South Africa, she planned to get married in eight days. Ronald, however, was fresh out of rehab. It had been six months since he last gambled.
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE' COUPLES NOW"I don't know what the future holds, and that is scary, but I am one thousand percent committed to Ronald," Tiffany told the cameras.
She later added, "Unfortunately, the only Ronald I know is the Ronald that loves me but also the Ronald that put me through hell and hurt me and lied to me."
Tiffany hoped Ronald wouldn't relapse and disappoint her family again. She also needed to make sure Daniel would love his life in South Africa and feel comfortable.
"If Daniel hates it, I cannot force it just because it's something I want," Tiffany said.
Tiffany's Tourist Visa was only good for 90 days, so she had three months basically to determine whether Ronald truly was a changed man and she could marry him and spend the rest of her life with him.
"It is so important for Ronald to not mess up again, because I can forgive Ronald if he hurts me, but I will never forgive him if he hurts Daniel," Tiffany told the cameras.
Ronald and Daniel's meeting was an emotional and sweet one, and Tiffany's heart was bursting at the seams upon seeing her fiance again.
But the couple hit some bumps in the road, such as Ronald's wild bachelor party and Tiffany feeling his gambling addiction might turn into something else, such as alcoholism.
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Living in South Africa turned out to be a huge adjustment for Tiffany and Daniel. There was trash everywhere, and Tiffany worried about Daniel's safety. Ronald even mentioned how human trafficking is a big issue in his native country.
Ronald explained to the cameras his family also had to worry about murders, burglary, and ATM bombings.
"But still, it's a nice place to live," Ronald noted.
Daniel admitted he didn't feel comfortable in South Africa and wanted to move home, and Tiffany understood it was such a different world.
A few days before her wedding, Tiffany was getting a bit of cold feet and therefore wanted to learn more about Ronald's criminal record.
Ronald said his first offense was when he put on his friend's jacket one night at a club, and when he was searched, LSD and heroin were discovered in his pocket.
Ronald insisted, however, he was drug tested at the police station and the results came back he was clean.
Ronald's mother also apparently wanted to lock him up one time because he had pawned her refrigerator.
But since Ronald promised to return the refrigerator, his mother changed her mind and withdrew the case.
A few years ago, Ronald was arrested on armed business robbery, but evidence allegedly proved he was not guilty.
Ronald also took money from his employer on numerous occasions as he continued to gamble and lose money. Ronald got locked up for this offense, but his boss eventually withdrew the case.
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"After that day, I went straight to the wellness center," Ronald explained, adding that he had been found guilty for one charge.
Tiffany questioned how Ronald had been in the wrong place at the wrong time so many times given most of his cases had been withdrawn, but Ronald said he didn't want his past mistakes to affect his future.
Although Tiffany discovered Ronald had been found guilty of one criminal charge on his record, she felt Ronald was a good man and expected he would give his all to their marriage.
Ronald said he regretted every single second of what he had put Tiffany through when he was struggling with his gambling addiction.
Ronald also called Daniel "the best boy in the world" and said his new family would keep him driven and motivated.
After Ronald received a blessing to marry Tiffany from her sister Laura, Tiffany and Ronald got married.
Ronald cried at the sight of Tiffany dressed in a bridal gown walking down the aisle.
One week into marriage, Tiffany said she and Ronald wanted to welcome another baby soon and so they went looking for a two-bedroom apartment to rent.
Ronald didn't have much money saved, but he had an offer to work at the wellness center and help people with their own addictions.
However, the job only paid between $500-700 U.S. dollars a month. The real estate agents were worried the couple wouldn't be able to find a nice place in a good, safe neighborhood with Ronald's salary.
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Tiffany wanted a safe place for her son Daniel in which they could leave their doors unlocked, but she quickly learned that was not going to happen in South Africa.
The first apartment Tiffany and Ronald looked at was surrounded by an electric fence, and the real estate agents said their best bet would be to scream loudly in a compromising situation to inform their close neighbors they needed help.
Tiffany didn't feel the place was safe at all, and she was shocked because the couple couldn't afford much more given Ronald had gambled away his savings.
Ronald suggested they set up an alarm system to make sure Daniel would be safe, but Tiffany didn't want to choose between buying groceries and having safety.
Tiffany realized her family was going to live "in constant fear" and she'd always be worried about her children.
Ronald's chances of getting a visa to come to the United States were slim to none because of his criminal record, but Tiffany still wanted to try because she realized how hard it was going to be to make a life in South Africa for her family.
A month-and-a-half after Tiffany and Ronald wed, Tiffany and Ronald got into a fight over Tiffany handling all of their finances and carrying Ronald's credit cards at all times due to his previous gambling addiction.
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY KNOW? (PHOTOS)
Ronald didn't think it was fair Tiffany was keeping him on such a tight leash. He felt it was important for Tiffany to trust him again and give him a second chance.
Ronald yelled and swore about wanting freedom and to carry his own money going forward, but Tiffany didn't appreciate how Ronald was speaking to her. She couldn't believe Ronald was so angry just because things weren't convenient for him.
Tiffany therefore told Ronald to "shut the f-ck up" and thought it was a red flag her husband was demanding so much trust just a month out of his rehab treatment.
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Ronald, however, later apologized for being "an assh-le," but Tiffany needed and wanted more. She said Ronald was "being insane" and a simple "sorry" wasn't going to suffice.
Tiffany had made so many sacrifices for Ronald, and so she couldn't believe he would treat her that poorly. Ronald, however, was tired of Tiffany bringing up the past because he had been working so hard towards the future.
Tiffany didn't want to be viewed as a possessive or controlling wife, especially since Ronald put her in this position to begin with.
"I took such a leap of faith marrying Ronald, and his behavior tonight completely makes me doubt my decisions. This argument really makes me feel like packing my bags and getting out of South Africa," Tiffany told the cameras.
Tiffany told Ronald that if he couldn't do what she needed him to do in order for them to be okay, their relationship wasn't going to work.
"I'm not going to hurt you again," Ronald promised.
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Tiffany cried about how their relationship was hard and Ronald wasn't making things any easier for her. Ronald asked for another chance and said it was very wrong of him to be so cold and close his heart.
Tiffany noted their love needed to be very strong and solid in order to face all the challenges that were ahead of them.
A couple of weeks after their big fight, things had gotten better and Tiffany was excited to be pregnant, but she was anticipating giving birth in a public hospital instead of a private one.
Tiffany had heard bad things about public hospitals, and Ronald even admitted they are not very clean and doctors don't take great care of their patients.
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In addition, areas were separated with curtains and there would be no door or private room for Tiffany.
Due to the small spaces, Tiffany also found out Ronald wouldn't be able to be by her side when she delivers the baby. The hospital apparently has limited resources and they assist with 25 to 30 deliveries a day.
Tiffany came to the conclusion giving birth in a public hospital was not going to be an option. She was not happy with what she saw and heard, and so Ronald promised Tiffany the funds would be available so she could welcome their baby in a private hospital.
Tiffany didn't want Ronald to get stressed, and she said financial pressure is "a huge trigger" for his gambling addiction. But Ronald felt very confident he could take care of his wife in the proper way.
After two months in South Africa, Tiffany acknowledged Ronald had become a father to Daniel but her common sense told her that they shouldn't live there because it wasn't safe and she'd be taking opportunities away from her son.
Tiffany and Ronald even took Daniel to a playground that was very depressing. Not only was there a broken swing and rusted parts everywhere, but there was also broken glass on the ground and "rubbish," according to Ronald.
Daniel didn't like the parks and the fences everywhere. He could tell it was dangerous, and Daniel said he missed his friends and family.
"I don't want to live here forever," Daniel told his mom. "I want to be with Dad, but at the same time, I want to live in America, and it's really tough to choose."
Tiffany hated seeing Daniel under this kind of stress, and so she promised to make a decision that would be best for him and their whole family -- including her baby on the way.
"We'll make it work," Ronald insisted to his wife.
But Tiffany said she didn't want Daniel and their baby to be raised the way Ronald had been raised. Tiffany said she was just being honest and wanted to return to the United States and apply for his visa to come to America.
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Ronald said he'd regret not being there for his baby's birth for the rest of his life. He didn't want Tiffany to go through the delivery alone, but Tiffany said their relationship was going to take sacrifice and compromise.
Ronald understood where Tiffany was coming from, but the news was very disheartening.
Ronald said the thought of Tiffany, Daniel and his unborn baby getting on an airplane cut his heart up into pieces. Ronald claimed he really loved Daniel.
However, Ronald promised Tiffany that he would stand by her no matter what, just as she had supported him through so much.
Before leaving on a plane, Tiffany asked Ronald to sit down with a counselor and talk things out. Ronald admitted his family was going to be torn apart and he'd face trials and tribulations, but he was confident he'd never gamble again.
"He's going to feel so alone. He's going to be in a very vulnerable place, and that's when he needs the most support," Tiffany said in a confessional.
The counselor said Ronald was going to have to be incredibly strong and this was going to be the biggest challenge he'd ever face. Ronald was "so scared" for her husband to "fall" at such an "important time."
Tiffany was told, however, to maintain trust and take things one step at a time.
Ronald felt like he was going to "throw up" on the way to the airport after spending a wonderful three months with his family, and once they arrived at the airport, Daniel broke down into tears.
"I don't want to go!" Daniel yelled in the airport.
Daniel worried about Ronald being all alone, and he said he didn't want to leave his dad. Tiffany, however, promised her son this needed to be done in order for them all to be together one day.
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"It's just temporary. Next thing you know it, you're going to see me again," Ronald said.
Tiffany's heart was broken. She knew Daniel wasn't happy in South Africa, but she also knew her son wasn't going to be happy being so far away from his new dad.
"I love you. I love you so much. Never forget that," Ronald told Daniel, adding that his time with Tiffany and Ronald was the best time of his life.
Ronald then hugged Tiffany goodbye and she also cried. Ronald broke down into tears after watching his family leave him.
Tiffany was upset, knowing she'd have to face her pregnancy without her husband by her side. She and Ronald were committing to a really long time apart, and Tiffany wasn't sure whether Ronald would ever be able to come to the United States.
"The future is still very uncertain for me and Ronald. But one thing is for sure, our relationship is strong and will stand against anything that comes our way," Tiffany said in a confessional.
What happened after Tiffany returned to America? Is the 90 Day Fiance couple still together and married?
Tiffany and Ronald are still a happily-married couple! But they currently appear to be living in different countries.On October 12, Tiffany posted a video of herself going on a date with Ronald.
"D8 night still have the hots for u baby daddy," Tiffany wrote alongside the video in which she was giggling and joking around with her husband.
In late September, Tiffany posted a family photo that included Daniel, but Ronald was missing from the image.
However, Tiffany captioned the image, "My beautiful family -- just missing my love !!!"
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And on September 3, Tiffany posted a beautiful message to her husband on Instagram alongside a series of throwback photos of Ronald.
"Sometimes I seriously feel like I can't anymore and then I remember why I keep going because it is worth it because your heart because of the reason I fell in love with you in the first place. People can watch the show all they want but what they will never see is who you are," Tiffany wrote.
"You are annoying and funny and stubborn and you have a rough exterior but not for us your family, you make me laugh like an idiot. I love you very very much."
"And this road is not easy but it's our road. And people can say what they want but our story is in no ones hands but ours. I love you Ronald Smith."
On August 26, Tiffany posted a selfie of the pair doing facial masks together on Instagram and confirmed they are still thriving as a couple.
"WE ARE OKAY RELAX. If I'm trying to hype up the show I promise that I will say hey watch the show, I will never cry out for attention because I don't need attention, if we break up I will never write cryptic messages I will just say hey were getting a divorce," Tiffany said of Ronald in the photo caption.
"Stop getting crazy Internet... cheeeeeel."
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE: BEFORE THE 90 DAYS' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? (PHOTOS)
And on August 13, Tiffany shared a photo featuring Daniel and Ronald, writing alongside it, "The men in my life."
Back on August 6, Tiffany also posted a series of photos from her wedding and gushed about Ronald.
"Who knew this man that people say doesn't deserve love, the man people make fun of and the man who is not good enough...who would have known that this man was someone's Prince Charming his heart is big and it is mine love u my forever boyfriend," Tiffany wrote.
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According to Starcasm, Tiffany and Ronald tied the knot on October 20, 2018 in South Africa.
Starcasm reported that Tiffany announced to her family that she was expecting a baby with Ronald in early January 2019. And by late May 2019, Tiffany was reportedly more than eight months pregnant.
Tiffany, who is now going by the name of Tiffany Franco Smith on her Instagram account, and Ronald welcomed a baby girl together on July 3, People reported, and they named her Carley Rose Smith.
Tiffany and Ronald's little bundle of joy reportedly arrived at 7:35AM. Carley was born weighing eight pounds and three ounces, and she measured 19 inches in length.
"Carley's arrival into this world was a mother's biggest sacrifice, the giving-birth part," Tiffany told People at the time.
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE: HAPPILY EVER AFTER?' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? (PHOTOS)
"But she was worth every contraction, every cry, all of it! When they put my baby on me, all of my pain was gone and all I felt was her warmth and the love and support of my family."
She added, "I feel so much love and joy inside. Everything was perfect."
Tiffany and Ronald shared sweet family photos with People, showing that Carley was born with a full head of hair. And Tiffany has been posting photos of her adorable, chubby baby girl on Instagram ever since.
Tiffany was shown getting dropped off at the airport in South Africa on the finale of 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way, and she did in fact return to the United States.
Tiffany decided it would be best for her family to live in the United States rather than South Africa, which she had deemed dangerous for Daniel and their unborn child.
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Ronald, however, was able to video call his wife during the delivery. Ronald's mother also participated in the call at times.
Tiffany's own mother was present for Carley's birth.
The photographer Tiffany credited with taking a set of baby photos she released on Instagram is also based in the Maryland area.
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY KNOW? (PHOTOS)
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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
