Influencer who married her high school teacher nearly 40 years her senior claps back at haters
A 22-year-old Italian influencer whose posts about the nearly four-decade age gap with her 60-year-old husband went viral is clapping back at critics who called her “a gold digger.” Minea Pagni told The Post: “Reducing a woman’s choices to money is one of the oldest and most unfair stereotypes. I have my own goals, my own work, and my own independence. I married him for who he is — his mind, his values, and the way he loves.” Pagni met her older half, Massimo, five years ago, when he was her high school philosophy teacher. “I had a crush on him . . . Nothing ever happened. . . . Years later, we met again — as two adults — and that’s when love actually began,” she explained on her Instagram handle @diaryofminea. The lovebirds bumped into each other at a bookstore two years ago, started dating, and got hitched last month. “Christmas feels a little sweeter this year . . . maybe because I’m spending it with the man I once only dreamed about,” Pagni captioned an Instagram video, which racked up 16 million views.
In This Article:
Online storm: trolls doubt the romance and accuse her of chasing euros
But online trolls questioned the May-December relationship — assuming she’s in it for the euros. “Rent cannot be that high sis,” said one hater. Pagni told The Post it was all about love. “I was captivated by his intellect, his sunny personality, his values, his boundless love for knowledge and learning, his curiosity about every aspect of life, and his lack of prejudice,” she gushed. In another video, which got 4 million views, Pagni compared photos of them from 2010 — when he was 45 and she was 5 — which also caused a stir online, with comments such as “Wtf is wrong with you” and “This isn’t the flex u think it is.” Other eagle-eyed viewers spotted Massimo, who is now a professor, sporting what they thought was a Rolex watch. “He has 60k on his wrist. It’s all making sense now,” they quipped. “He doesn’t own, wear, or even desire a Rolex,” Pagni told The Post. “He has two beautiful watches, one of which I gave him as a gift, and he values them deeply.”
Love in the open: trust, timing and a partner who respects the journey
Pagni told The Post that Massimo is fully supportive of her chronicling their journey on social media. “He understands that storytelling is part of who I am, and he trusts my intentions. We are very aligned on what we share and why we share it,” she said. Pagni, who is now studying medicine, said in another post, “Even though he is no longer formally my teacher, he will always be the professor of my heart.” “Too bad he didn’t teach you manners,” a troll snapped back. Pagni told The Post that her parents did question the relationship at first. “But once they saw how respected, supported, and happy I am, they trusted my choices. Today, they see the love and stability we share,” she said.
Public reaction and the debate on age and love
There were online voices defending the relationship — saying she owed no one an explanation. “Love doesn’t know age,” one said. “Love does know age,” one rebutted. “You need to seek help.” Share your stance. Please adhere to our He definitely got the best of the situation now but as he gets older and less active thing will change. She'll want to go out she'll want to travel and he'll just want to sit home and watch relax that's when reality kicks in. Enjoy it while it last. I'm 22 years older then my wife. I can say I know... I second this. The age difference in the beginning is endearing because of learning each others generational differences. However, as he continues to age the changes in health and stamina can be drastic, especially once he enters his 70s. That's when she'll end up his lonely, sexless caregiver and... That dude definitely has game. Kudos to him! Still... he broke the ‘half + 7 rule’. 80 divided by 2 plus 7 is 37. She's 22. Way below the line. Greaaat article about the personal lives of people we’ve never heard of. Now do one on Cher and her boyfriend (40 year age difference). Anyone criticizing that one? I can't imagine Cher at 20. At 70, it's a real commitment to service that grilled cheese sandwich.
