A man who married an 81-year-old woman when he was 35 has explained that it was love at first sight, despite there being a 46-year age gap.

Iris Jones, from Weston-super-Mare in the UK, met Mohamed on a Facebook group and they tied the knot in Egypt in 2020, though this was much to the disapproval of Iris' family.

As per the Daily Mail, the now 83-year-old's family gave her the silent treatment after the pair got married, maybe because the reception was in a KFC.

The couple called for the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson to allow Mohamed to settle in the UK as he would be an "asset" to the country.

Iris and her husband appeared on the British talk show This Morning where they told hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby about their relationship.

"He is wonderful, but the fact that their father is younger than their sons is maybe a point of contention. But it makes no difference. I'm older than his mother and father, my mother-in-law and father-in-law are younger than me, it makes no difference, we love each other and that's all that matters" Iris said.

The topic then moved onto how the ceremony went, which they confessed was not a traditional wedding.

"It was an exchange of documents. We had to sign several documents for the signature," Iris said. "After that, the document was handed to us, one for Mohamed and one for me, all in Arabic, I don't know what it says at all. It might say that i'm completely under his thumb, but if that's the case, I'm not."

Mohamed said: "My [feeling] is very good, we have in the past difficulties. Egyptian men are good men who take care of their wives."

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he further explained how he fell in love with Iris: "I was very nervous but the moment I laid eyes on her I knew that it was true love. I’m a very lucky man to have found a woman like this.

"I don’t care where we live or how rich or poor she is, I just want to be with Iris," Mohamed continued. "At the end of the day, which country she wants to make her home is her choice; it can be either Britain or Egypt.

"People think I am with her for all the wrong reasons. I know Britain is a beautiful country and a lot of people want to go there but I’m not bothered. I'm prepared to live with her anywhere in the world."

He went on to reveal that his mother is happy with his bride and getting his mother's seal of approval is all that really matters to him.

Mohamed further explained: "It might seem a bit strange having a wife who is 20 years older than your mother but that’s love. It makes you blind. When you are a man and you fall in love with a woman, it doesn’t matter how old she is or what she looks like."

Featured image credit: Roman Lacheev / Alamy

A man has spoken out after finding himself in love with his late grandfather's wife.

Mart Soeson - a 48-year-old Estonian lawyer - has spoken out about his complex immigration battle as he endeavors to maintain his residency in Australia alongside his partner, Elfriedie Riit, the 104-year-old widow of his late grandfather.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Soeson is currently involved in an arduous journey toward securing permanent residency in Sydney, Australia.

Among the obstacles he has been faced with, his application - and relationship coming under intense scrutiny from the Department of Home Affairs.

Despite the skepticism surrounding their relationship, Soeson staunchly asserts the genuine nature of the relationship of his "de facto partner" - a sentiment echoed during his rigorous three-hour interrogation at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

During the tribunal hearing, Soeson passionately defended the depth of their connection, emphasizing the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual dimensions of their relationship. "We have intimacy - holding hands, hugs, kissing. We have a spiritual and intellectual relationship. We have a strong emotional connection to each other," Soeson told the tribunal.

After originally having his visa denied, the tribunal asked Soeson if the couple had any sexual intimacy between them - to which he confirmed there had been none. He also admitted that the pair do not share a bedroom.

The couple's journey together spans back to 1996, when Soeson first crossed paths with Riit.

Over time, what began as a familial acquaintance blossomed into a romantic entanglement, with their relationship allegedly solidifying in January 2013 - when he was 37, and she was 92.

He maintains that she was the one to initiate the relationship, telling the tribunal: "She said many times that she wanted someone by her side. She was a widow. She was lonely and helpless.'

Despite being the widow of his late grandfather, Soeson stressed that he never viewed Ritt "grandmother". "I’ve never called her 'grandmother'. There was no grandson-grandmother relationship," he said.

Soeson then moved to Australia to be with Riit in September 2018. He made his home in Bankstown alongside Riit.

However, their story is not without its share of challenges. Riit's ongoing battle with Alzheimer's and bipolar disorder necessitated her transition to an aged care facility in 2022, leaving Soeson grappling with the complexities of their separation. Despite the physical distance, he maintains that their emotional connection remains unwavering.

"What started out as a wholesome bond I had with my late grandfather’s widow slowly but surely turned into a very meaningful and loving relationship," Soeson told the Daily Mail.

Sharing more details about their relationship, Soeson explained: "We don't have many mutual friends. Most of her friends are dead and due to her nature she is a recluse person.

"Even before I met her she was recluse. She liked to stay at home, not to socialize with the people."

He admitted that he feels his application for a visa continues to be denied based on "discrimination".

As they await the tribunal's verdict, Soeson and Riit stand united, but have confirmed that they do not wish to get married.

Featured image credit: prmoeller / Getty

A man has spoken out after finding himself in love with his late grandfather's wife.

Mart Soeson - a 48-year-old Estonian lawyer - has spoken out about his complex immigration battle as he endeavors to maintain his residency in Australia alongside his partner, Elfriedie Riit, the 104-year-old widow of his late grandfather.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Soeson is currently involved in an arduous journey toward securing permanent residency in Sydney, Australia.

Among the obstacles he has been faced with, his application - and relationship coming under intense scrutiny from the Department of Home Affairs.

Despite the skepticism surrounding their relationship, Soeson staunchly asserts the genuine nature of the relationship of his "de facto partner" - a sentiment echoed during his rigorous three-hour interrogation at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

During the tribunal hearing, Soeson passionately defended the depth of their connection, emphasizing the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual dimensions of their relationship. "We have intimacy - holding hands, hugs, kissing. We have a spiritual and intellectual relationship. We have a strong emotional connection to each other," Soeson told the tribunal.

After originally having his visa denied, the tribunal asked Soeson if the couple had any sexual intimacy between them - to which he confirmed there had been none. He also admitted that the pair do not share a bedroom.

The couple's journey together spans back to 1996, when Soeson first crossed paths with Riit.

Over time, what began as a familial acquaintance blossomed into a romantic entanglement, with their relationship allegedly solidifying in January 2013 - when he was 37, and she was 92.

He maintains that she was the one to initiate the relationship, telling the tribunal: "She said many times that she wanted someone by her side. She was a widow. She was lonely and helpless.'

Despite being the widow of his late grandfather, Soeson stressed that he never viewed Ritt "grandmother". "I’ve never called her 'grandmother'. There was no grandson-grandmother relationship," he said.

Soeson then moved to Australia to be with Riit in September 2018. He made his home in Bankstown alongside Riit.

However, their story is not without its share of challenges. Riit's ongoing battle with Alzheimer's and bipolar disorder necessitated her transition to an aged care facility in 2022, leaving Soeson grappling with the complexities of their separation. Despite the physical distance, he maintains that their emotional connection remains unwavering.

"What started out as a wholesome bond I had with my late grandfather’s widow slowly but surely turned into a very meaningful and loving relationship," Soeson told the Daily Mail.

Sharing more details about their relationship, Soeson explained: "We don't have many mutual friends. Most of her friends are dead and due to her nature she is a recluse person.

"Even before I met her she was recluse. She liked to stay at home, not to socialize with the people."

He admitted that he feels his application for a visa continues to be denied based on "discrimination".

As they await the tribunal's verdict, Soeson and Riit stand united, but have confirmed that they do not wish to get married.

Featured image credit: prmoeller / Getty