This 79-Year-Old Millionaire Is Literally Advertising for a ‘Younger Wife’
When most people think about matchmaking, they imagine dating apps or blind dates set up by friends. But for Sir Benjamin Slade, a 79-year-old British millionaire, finding a wife is serious business. He does not see it as just companionship but a way to secure the future of his 1,300-acre estate in Somerset. And he’s turning to some unconventional methods to make it happen.
A Modern Search for Legacy
Sir Benjamin is no stranger to controversy, and his recent search for a much younger partner has certainly made headlines. In fact, he has publicly sought a woman to help continue his family line and bear him an heir to his sprawling estate, which he has spent a lifetime building.
This 79-year-old landowner, who made his fortune in property and agriculture, has already been married before. Yet, despite his success, he remains without a son. He’s now determined to fix that, and what better way to do it than by turning to Tinder?
Tinder for Legacy
Yes, when Sir Benjamin was introduced to the dating app Tinder, he saw it as the perfect modern tool for his mission. But he wasn’t exactly honest about his age. He even shaved off a few years to make himself appear 56. After swiping through potential matches, he was clearly picky. He didn’t hesitate to comment on women’s profiles with remarks like “Oh no, she’s dreadful” or “I don’t like that.”
And when it came to age, Sir Benjamin was extremely selective. He wasn’t interested in women over 50, as he considered them “too old” for him. He reasoned, “You want a new car, you get a new car, not some old banger.”
Things weren’t exactly working out with Tinder, though, and Sir Benjamin soon realized it wasn’t the platform for him. But he wasn’t ready to give up on his dream of having a child who could inherit Maunsel House, his ancestral home.
A Shot at Romance, but Not Quite the Fairytale
Image via Pexels/Jonathan Borba
The drama didn’t end with a dating app search. After a decade-long search for the right partner, Sir Benjamin thought he had found her. Sahara Sunday Spain, an American poet and composer, was 46 years his junior. They got engaged, and a baby was on the way. It seemed like the perfect ending to his long quest until it took a turn for the worse.
Two planned wedding ceremonies were called off at the last minute by Sir Benjamin, which left Sahara devastated. It turned out the baby was a girl, not the son Sir Benjamin had hoped for. The situation became even more awkward, with Sir Benjamin showing no interest in his daughter.
In fact, in 2022, it was revealed that Sir Benjamin had never even met his child, who now lives in France with her mother. Sahara, frustrated and hurt, called his behavior “utterly shameful” and questioned whether he would have treated the situation differently if it had been a son. The answer to some seems pretty obvious.
The Future of the Estate
It seems that Sir Benjamin’s search for a male heir and his vision for the future of Maunsel House are now in jeopardy. Reports suggest that he is negotiating with a luxury hotel group to take over the estate, ensuring that he’ll still be able to visit, though at a price.
But it raises the question: Is legacy really worth all of this? Sir Benjamin’s story shows how personal ambitions, old family traditions, and the desire for a male heir are still very much alive in some corners of the world. What was once a dream for a perfect family has now become a headline-grabbing saga of drama and disappointment. And it’s far from over.