Woman, 25, says boyfriend, 76, is her 'soulmate' and blasts people calling it 'disgusting'

Diana Montano, 25, wasn't looking for love, but when she met Edgar, 76, she couldn't resist.

Hailing from San Diego, the 25-year-old was introduced to her now-partner through an ex-girlfriend of Edgar's, but she didn't at the start think romance was on the horizon due to their51-year age gap.

Age gap relationships, particularly ones as large as this one, often generate a lot of controversy, but Diana insists that no matter what anyone else thinks, Edgar is her "soul mate".

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Diana explained, "I love being with someone who is mature, patient, and understanding.

"I’ve met my soulmate; there’s no one my age like him."

It was back in July 2023 when the pair first connected after Edgar plucked up the courage to ask his ex-girlfriend for Diana's - who was then 23 - number.

"He seemed like a gentleman and completely respectful. I didn’t initially think I would end up getting into a relationship with him since he was so much older than me.

"But he was so handsome. My feelings grew after a few months, and he told me he liked me from the first day we met and wanted to keep seeing me.”

Edgar and Diana exchanged messages for around a year before taking a trip to Hawaii, where their connection deepened.

"He confessed he wishes he was younger so I’d marry him. I said I’d marry him as he is now.

"We talked more about our feelings seriously after that and when we got back from our trip, I said yes to being his girlfriend. It’s just a very exciting, passionate and happy dynamic.

"He makes me want to take care of him and be patient. Edgar brings out the best in me – and I bring out the best in him."

However, it hasn't all been plain sailing for the couple. When Diana, a vocational nurse, introduced her pensioner boyfriend to her family, they weren't best pleased.

"I’ve had some family members who don’t agree and think I’m ruining my life," Diana explained. "But it doesn’t bother me too much. I understand how my relationship may appear at first glance, but I know I am happy.

"I had originally planned to talk to my mum privately about it, but I ended up speaking to her when other family members were nearby.

"You could tell by her facial expressions she was not thrilled by the idea of it – but my aunt was so supportive.

"My dad had a similar reaction; I couldn’t totally tell what he was thinking, but he wasn’t very happy. Luckily, my parents understand I am an adult who makes my own decisions.

“All they want is for me to be careful."

Diana, who has never dated anyone older before, added that her pals were pretty shocked when they found out how old her partner is, but they quickly came around.

"My friends were definitely surprised when I told them, but they love Edgar," she said, adding, "Sadly, online, it’s a different story."

People online have not shied away from expressing their discomfort with such a large age gap, with some going as far as dubbing the couple "disgusting" and "disturbing".

Others took it even further.

"Your parents did a horrible job," said one commenter, with another writing: "This should be illegal".

A third posted, "I hope you die before him".

However, Diana tries not to let it get to her and focuses on the positive feedback that her relationship gets.

"The comments are extreme," she explains, "but they make us laugh. I’ve also had a lot of positive words, with people asking how they can find a relationship like ours and asking if Edgar has any brothers.

“For us, though, our age gap isn’t the centre of our relationship. Yes, it’s obvious, and we’ve had people stare at us in public.

“But everything with him feels so natural. Our conversations flow, he treats me with respect and he’s actually so full of life."

Diana says that, in her opinion, Edgar is pretty young for his age and stays active, recently taking part in a skydive and regularly hitting the gym, as well as taking skiing trips and going on hikes.

"He’s extremely healthy and fit," Diana says, adding that the couple go travelling every few months.

"I think of him more as a 50-year-old," she explains.

Diana hopes to break the taboo around age gap relationships by talking about her own publicly, but she still warns anyone interested in dating someone significantly older than them to keep their eyes open when going into it.

"It’s a very healthy relationship, which is difficult to find at my age, as there’s so many toxic people out there.

"I’m able to maintain my freedom and live life how I want. I feel more inclined to be my true self.

"Although we’ve both found happiness in each other, it’s in spite of our ages.

"But if anyone is getting inspired by our relationship and desires a relationship with an age gap, be mindful that they can be tricky.

"I’m very lucky to have met Ed and that he’s been such an amazing person to me, but it’s not always that case in age gap relationships.

"People should always be attentive to how those they date act, because the risk of emotional, physical, and financial abuse increases as your partner's age does."