He robbed the cradle — and she broke the internet.
A 22-year-old Italian influencer who went viral for a series of posts about the nearly four-decade age gap with her 60-year-old husband is clapping back at critics who called her “a gold digger.”
“Reducing a woman’s choices to money is one of the oldest and most unfair stereotypes. I have
my own goals, my own work, and my own independence. I married him for who he is — his
mind, his values, and the way he loves,” Minea Pagni told The Post.
“I knew not everyone would understand, but I wasn’t fully prepared for how intense some reactions could be. Still, I’ve learned that criticism often says more about society’s fears than about our love.”
Pagni met her older half, Massimo, five years ago, when he was her high school philosophy teacher.
“I had a crush on him . . . Nothing ever happened. . . . Years later, we met again — as two adults — and that’s when love actually began,” she explained on her Instagram handle @diaryofminea.
The lovebirds bumped into each other at a bookstore two years ago, started dating, and got hitched last month.
“Christmas feels a little sweeter this year . . . maybe because I’m spending it with the man I once only dreamed about,” Pagni captioned an Instagram video, which racked up 16 million views.
But online trolls questioned the May-December relationship — assuming she’s in it for the euros.
“Rent cannot be that high sis,” said one hater.
Pagni told The Post it was all about love.
“I was captivated by his intellect, his sunny personality, his values, his boundless love for knowledge and learning, his curiosity about every aspect of life, and his lack of prejudice,” she gushed.
In another video, which got 4 million views, Pagni compared photos of them from 2010 — when he was 45 and she was 5 — which also caused a stir online, with comments such as “Wtf is wrong with you” and “This isn’t the flex u think it is.”
Other eagle-eyed viewers spotted Massimo, who is now a professor, sporting what they thought was a Rolex watch.
“He has 60k on his wrist. It’s all making sense now,” they quipped.
“He doesn’t own, wear, or even desire a Rolex,” Pagni told The Post. “He has two beautiful watches, one of which I gave him as a gift, and he values them deeply.”
Pagni told The Post that Massimo is fully supportive of her chronicling their journey on social media.
“He understands that storytelling is part of who I am, and he trusts my intentions. We are very aligned on what we share and why we share it,” she said.
Pagni, who is now studying medicine, said in another post, “Even though he is no longer formally my teacher, he will always be the professor of my heart.”
“Too bad he didn’t teach you manners,” a troll snapped back.
Pagni told The Post that her parents did question the relationship at first.
“But once they saw how respected, supported, and happy I am, they trusted my choices. Today, they see the love and stability we share,” she said.
There were some online who came to her defense — saying she owed no one an explanation.
“Love doesn’t know age,” one said.
“Love does know age,” one rebutted. “You need to seek help.”
