'I'm a 58-year-old virgin who won't touch a man - it gives me so much freedom'

07 December 2023 , 16:25

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Duni lives as a 'Burrnesha' (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)

One woman has opened up to discuss her decision to abstain from sex, despite being proposed to more than 15 times.

Burrnesha Duni, 58, is a sworn virgin and has adopted an unusual lifestyle. Around 35 years ago, she decided to follow an ancient Balkan tradition known as "Burrnesha" among Albanians, which ultimately means she has chosen to live the life of a man.

She embraced the role by chopping off her hair and wearing men's clothes, and now spends most of her time in a mountain chalet with an Alsatian for company.

As for her interests, she really enjoys watching football, and loves the Italian national team. She once even locked her nephew out of the house for two hours after they had a row about the sport.

Burrnesha Duni has adopted an unusual lifestyke (Jonathan Buckmaster)

Her role as a Burrnesha has enabled her to be the main breadwinner and head of the household, which are reasons why she wanted to take the vow in the first place.

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She told Daily Express: "When my father passed away my brother and sister were young. At that time a girl or a woman was always someone who is serving.

"So I had two options - to serve the family of a husband or to [become a sworn virgin and] serve my own family."

Duni's vow of chastity came relatively late, when she was 23 - by which time she had rejected 15 marriage proposals. Admitting she had "a lot of options", she instead wanted freedom - and was able to live the life she wanted because her father was so open-minded.

Duni has had 15 marriage proposals (Jonathan Buckmaster)

Duni also said she carried a reputation as someone who wasn't to be messed with; she was always "strong", and she thinks a lot of guys were probably quite scared of her.

She thinks other women should follow the same way of life, which she finds fulfilling and empowering. "Women nowadays are so lucky because they can be independent and do whatever they want," she said. "I am happy when I see a lady can be a lawyer, president or director."

Gemma Strong