Wealthy widow, 80, hits out at claims taxi driver boyfriend, 24, is gold digger

13 February 2024 , 18:30

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Catherine Thomas met George when he brought back her handbag with nearly £2,000 inside, with the couple denying claims he's a gold digger (Image: Newsflash)

A couple with more than half a century's age difference have declared their romance to stunned social media followers after meeting in a taxi meet-cute.

Taxi biker George is 24 and 56 years younger than his 80-year-old girlfriend Catherine Thomas. The mum-of-five met the biker when she hailed a bike in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

But when wealthy widow Catherine left her bag behind on the bike with 6million TZS (£1,861) inside, George was quick to make sure she got it back, and the couple has since become an item. "It was too late and rainy to return," said George. "I took it to the house the next day but didn’t find her."

Despite the cynicism the pair's relationship has prompted, Catherine has shot down suspicions her partner is only interested in her money. She also revealed how she didn't even notice the bag was missing at first, leaving for a three-month trip the day after the taxi.

Catherine, 80, says she can't imagine life without George (Newsflash)

She said: "When I returned, he brought back the money, which is how he won my heart. I needed to be loved." Plucky Catherine then took the first step to initiate the pair's relationship, asking George to date her.

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He said: "It took a while to process it, and I said yes. Critics wonder why I love someone as old as my grandmother, but I don’t care." Catherine later introduced George to her children, aged between 35 to 43, who were left raising their eyebrows over the age gap.

But thankfully the siblings have come to accept their union, despite some of George's family still having a few doubts. His sister Mary said: "I have started accepting it happened. The age gap is too much when someone is 50 years older than you. They are confusing love and madness."

Addressing people's suspicions about George being a gold digger, Catherine said: "People will always try to destroy something good. My life without him would be meaningless."

But social media users were amazed by the love story. User 'yvonnemascoll356' said: "To each, their own and what matters is how they both feel about each other... god bless them."

While 'tazzhall6036' said: " Luv is luv, he is legal, let them be happy. " And 'Emerencia41' noted: "She is a very beautiful woman at that age."

Susie Beever