A man whose girlfriend is 40 years younger than him says she's not a "gold digger" and blasted trolls who accused him of "kidnapping" her.
Claudio Spilatro, 63, who met Semie Atadja, 25 on a dating app in 2017 when she was 18, insisted they are "mad about each other".
After divorcing his wife of 18 years, Claudio was keen to find an "active" woman when he bumped into Semie on Seeking – an app designed to connect affluent singletons.
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Semie says she was on the app looking for an older, "wiser" man after becoming tired of dating "losers" her own age.
Claudio took Semie out to lunch where he discovered her "bubbly" personality and the pair immediately hit it off – despite her being younger than his 34-year-old daughter.
The couple since travelled the world together in luxury and go on holiday at least once a month.
But they are regularly targeted by trolls who claim that Claudio "kidnapped" Semie or that she is "using him for his money".
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Despite the comments initially bothering Semie, they now don't let it affect them and say they "enjoy" each other's company.
Claudio, owner of Pelican Ski and Snowboard shop, from New Jersey, US, said: "I searched the whole world for a girl like Semie – she's beautiful.
"People say she's using me for my money, and she doesn't love me. But relationships have to be mutually beneficial.
"I bring the ability for Semie to be able to travel and have connections and the benefit to me is a very beautiful, young, active partner – which is exactly what I was looking for."
Semie, an estate agent and content creator, from New Jersey, US, said: "I was just tired of dating losers.
"It was loser after loser. I recognised on Seeking there are older guys there, and with older age would come with more wisdom.
"I love how happy he is, he's a very genuine man and a problem solver.
"He allows me to be myself. A lot of guys aren't confident enough to do that.
"And also, he's got a lot of money, so that's a plus."
Claudio said: "I was happily married for 18 years, and it came at a time in my life, around 40, when I asked my wife to travel, and she never wanted to, so we got a divorce.
"Semie and I are now only ever in one place for around a week.
"And then the other time we travel."
Semie loves travelling the world and making "awesome amazing memories" with her other half.
The nature of their relationship hasn't come without questions from friends and family.
Claudio said: "When they first met Semie, they really liked her.
"She's younger than my daughter – so that was a shock to them, but they accepted it.
"But when Semie started making TikTok content they weren't too keen on that when she portrayed herself as a gold digger and it took them a while to understand that it was just comedy."
Semie's sisters have accepted the relationship after seeing how happy she was.
But the negative comments online started to take its toll.
She said: "I took the negative comments and made a joke out of it, but at first it really hurt me.
"I wanted to prove to them that this is love but I found myself getting lost and ended up thinking 'who cares?'.
"Now I'm strong enough to say whatever I want, and it gives me content to make for the next TikTok.
"I think we get a lot of snobby looks and whispers. I've had women ask if I'm OK.
"If this is what kidnapping is – first class, five-star hotels, private chefs – then don't take me back.
"I like men that like to take care of me."
Looking to the future, the couple admit marriage isn't off the cards.
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