'I’m 63, my girlfriend’s 25 — strangers slam age gap and say I kidnapped her'
When two people fall in love, they often say it was love at first sight, and they just knew they were meant to be together. But one couple with a 40-year age gap is facing trolls who question their relationship and insist that the 63-year-old man "kidnapped" his 25-year-old girlfriend.
Claudio Spilatro met his partner Semie Atadja on a dating app in 2017, when she was just 18 years old. Claudio was looking for an "active" woman after divorcing his ex-wife of 18 years. He bumped into Semie on Seeking, an app designed to connect affluent singletons.
Semie said she had been looking for an older, "wiser", man after growing tired of dating "losers" her own age. Claudio took Semie out to lunch and discovered her "bubbly" personality.
The pair immediately hit it off, despite her being younger than his 34-year-old daughter. Since then, the pair have travelled the world together - flying first class, staying in five-star resorts and hiring private chefs. They find themselves on holiday at least once a month.
But the pair, who have 39 years between them, are regularly targeted by trolls. The critics claim Claudio "kidnapped" Semie, or that she is "using him for his money". The comments initially bothered Semie, but now the couple doesn't let it affect them and they simply "enjoy" each other's company.
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The couple regularly face criticism for their relationship (Semie Atadja / SWNS)
People even think Semie has been kidnapped (Semie Atadja / SWNS)Claudio, the owner of Pelican Ski and Snowboard shop, from New Jersey, 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, also from New Jersey, 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 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 and Semie love to travel the world together (Semie Atadja / SWNS)When the pair aren't in their New Jersey home, they're often jetting off around the world on luxury holidays. Claudio said: "I was happily married for 18 years, and it came a time in my life, round 40, when I asked my wife to travel, and she never wanted to go, 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 recalled: "Our very first trip was Brazil - Claudio is an avid kiteboarder. Then we went on a work trip to Shanghai - where they thought I was a famous rapper from New York.
"We've been whale watching in Hawaii, skiing in the Alps., visited our second home in the Dominican Republic and so much more. I love it - it's euphoric. I get to travel the world and make awesome amazing memories - I keep thinking 'is this real?'."
But their relationship hasn't come without questions from friends and family. Claudio explained: "When they first met Semie, they really liked her.
The couple have a 39 year age gap (Semie Atadja / SWNS)"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."
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Semie added: "My sisters were at first worried about me, but then I feel like the more I brought them around they saw that I was genuinely happy. They just see it as I have a boyfriend - nothing more."
The couple has also faced negative comments and abuse from online trolls, which Semie had therapy to cope with. She said: "I took the negative comments and made a joke out of it but at first it really hurt me.
Claudio met Semie on a dating app when she was just 18 (Semie Atadja / SWNS)
The pair immediately hit it off - despite Semie being younger than Claudio's 34-year-old daughter (Semie Atadja / SWNS)"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."
Claudio added: "I enjoy dating Semie more than a younger white woman because people might think she's my daughter. When we do TikTok lives we get all kind of negative comments though."
The couple aren't sure what the future holds, but said marriage isn't off the cards. Semie said: "He's saying he likes it, but I don't see a ring yet."
Claudio added: "I could see marriage in the future but at the moment it's perfect the way it is."
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