A woman is sharing an insight into her life as a self-proclaimed 'sugar baby' after falling in love with a wealthy man who is nearly 40 years older than her. Semie Atadja, 24, met Claudio, 60, on a dating website called Seeking Arrangements six years ago, and now the couple live an extravagant and lavish lifestyle together.
With fully supportive family and friends, Semie has become part of Claudio's life and loves that she's now a grandma to his four granddaughters, as well as having a good relationship with his ex-wife. Semie said: "Everyone has a type, and my type is rich!"
The couple spend their days between New Jersey, US, where Claudio's business is and the Dominican Republic, where they have a condo.
"We're definitely on a love boat. We've recognised that life is too short to worry about what people have to say," Semie explained.
"I've dated men my age who've been drug dealers, drug addicts, good boys and bad boys, but there's something about the connection me and Claudio have.
"It started with a message from Claudio saying 'Hey doll, do you like sushi?' on a Monday and then by Wednesday we met.
"We then went back to his, did some yoga and it went from there. We met up regularly and then when he invited me to a festival, that's when we fell in love!
"I moved in with him within three months. He's so understanding, and nothing I say surprises him.
"He's never upset and he's always here to help me and always wants to make things better. You don't experience these things in normal relationships.
"At first, my friends were wary. They weren't sure about him, and before our first date they kept asking me if I was sure I wanted to meet him as they didn't think he was very trustworthy.
"Now, they adore him. I didn't tell my family for a while, but now they are really supportive and realise we're in love.
"I just think so many people are envious and they're the ones who have negative things to say. If you could live the life of Riley and travel the world, who wouldn't want it.
"I think it's a good thing I have a man who wants to make sure I'm financially stable. I have no problem calling myself a sugar baby, I mean, why not?
"I get a lot of men - who can't provide like Claudio can - who call me a bed wench and prostitute. Probably to make themselves feel better and if they are mean to me, I'll be mean back and clap back.
"Sometimes what people say is just not ok, such as calling Claudio a paedophile so then I'll address it, but usually I ignore the negativity. When it first started happening it was stressing me out and I answered them all but Claudio asked me why I cared.
"People don't understand what a sugar baby is and it sometimes falls under the category of sex work or escort, but that's not right.
"It's about dating affluent men and getting experiences you wouldn't get dating someone the same age as you.
"Although Claudio doesn't hand me money as such, I do have credit cards and he pays my bills, so it's not like I get a set amount, it's not something we've discussed.
"We've never discussed how much I get, we just go with the flow and it works."
The pair have been to some amazing places together, including Colombia, Shanghai, Italy, Germany and Colorado.
Semie adds: "My life is a fairy tale and I get to have my happily every after, I'm so blessed and lucky!
"Before I met Claudio I was trying to be an influencer and was working in small restaurant as waitress."
When Semie and Claudio's relationship became serious, she met his family.
He's a father of two and a grandfather of four, and Semie has formed a great relationship with them, proudly calling herself a grandmother.
Semie explains: "I love being a grandmother. I've skipped the step of having kids and gone straight to grandchildren.
"I think the problem for me is I'm unsure if I even want children? I don't want the nine months of pregnancy, so maybe surrogacy, but I love the way my life is and don't see it changing.
"Claudio also had a very amicable divorce, so meeting his wife was fine. We have a great relationship and she even lives next door. I feel really accepted even though I'm so much younger."
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