A 22-year-old Italian influencer who went viral for marrying a man nearly four decades her senior has pushed back against online critics branding her a “gold digger,” insisting her relationship is rooted in love, not money.
Minea Pagni drew massive attention on social media after posting about her marriage to her 60-year-old husband, Massimo, prompting fierce debate over their 38-year age gap. In an interview with the New York Post, Pagni addressed the backlash head-on.
“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 told The Post.
Pagni said she was unprepared for the intensity of the reaction to their relationship. “I knew not everyone would understand, but I wasn’t fully prepared for how intense some reactions could be. Still, I’ve learned that criticism often says more about society’s fears than about our love,” she added.
The couple first met five years ago when Massimo was Pagni’s high school philosophy teacher, though she stressed that their relationship began only years later, when they reconnected as adults. “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 Instagram.
They ran into each other at a bookstore two years ago, began dating, and married last month. One Instagram post celebrating their first Christmas together garnered around 16 million views, further fueling online scrutiny.
Some critics speculated that wealth motivated the relationship, even pointing to Massimo’s wristwatch. Pagni dismissed the claims. “He doesn’t own, wear, or even desire a Rolex,” she told The Post. “He has two beautiful watches, one of which I gave him as a gift, and he values them deeply.”
Pagni said her husband supports her decision to document their life online. “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.
While she acknowledged that her parents initially questioned the relationship, Pagni said their concerns faded once they saw her happiness. “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 added.
Despite continued criticism, Pagni remains unapologetic — and focused on her future, including her studies in medicine — as her story continues to spark conversation online.