Nigeria: ‘I can’t marry a poor man’ — Rose Gold
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria
Ghanaian businesswoman and socialite Rose Gold has sparked conversation online after saying she would not consider marrying a man who is not financially stable.
In a recent interview, Rose Gold was direct about her views on money, marriage, and expectations. The comment quickly drew reactions, with many people debating whether wealth should be a requirement in choosing a life partner.
I can’t marry a poor man,” she said. “Marriage is a partnership. It’s about building a life together. And for me, that life has to be secure. I don’t want to struggle.”
She explained that her stance comes from wanting stability, not from looking down on people who are working to build themselves.
“I’m not saying the man has to be a billionaire,” she clarified. “But he has to have something going for himself. A vision, a business, a job, investments. He has to be able to take care of himself and be ready to take care of a home.”
The socialite said her position is shaped by experience and by watching relationships around her.
“I’ve seen women suffer in marriages because there was no money for rent, no money for school fees, no money for hospital bills,” she said. “Love is good, but love alone doesn’t pay bills. Love alone doesn’t build a future.”
As a businesswoman herself, Rose Gold said she works hard for her own money and expects the same drive in a partner.
“I’m not going to carry 100% of the load,” she explained. “I want a man who can meet me halfway. Who can say, ‘I got this too.’ That’s partnership to me.”
She also spoke about long-term goals: owning property, traveling, raising children in a comfortable environment. “Those things take money. I’m not going to pretend they don’t.”
Some people criticized her, calling the statement materialistic. “So love doesn’t matter anymore?” one comment read. “What if the man is good, kind, hardworking but not rich yet?”
Others defended her. “She’s being honest,” a supporter wrote. “A lot of women think this but are afraid to say it. Marriage is hard enough without financial stress.”
Relationship coaches who weighed in online said Rose Gold’s view reflects a broader reality: financial incompatibility is one of the top reasons marriages break down.
“It’s not about gold-digging,” one counselor posted. “It’s about alignment. If one person values financial security and the other doesn’t, that’s going to cause problems.”
She said she wasn’t talking about a man who is temporarily broke or hustling to grow.
“I’m talking about a mindset,” she said. “A man who has no ambition, no plan, no responsibility. That’s what I can’t do.”
She gave the example of a man who is building a business, saving, and investing, even if he’s not wealthy yet. “That’s different. That’s a man with direction. I can work with that.”
Rose Gold’s comments tap into a larger conversation happening among young Ghanaian and African women about marriage, money, and standards.
With the rising cost of living, many women say they are being more intentional about the kind of partner they choose. They want someone who is financially literate, responsible, and able to contribute.
At the same time, there’s pushback against the idea that a woman’s worth in marriage is tied to what a man can provide.
The debate highlights a tension: how do you balance romantic ideals with practical realities
Known for her lifestyle and business ventures, Rose Gold has built a public brand around independence and luxury.
“I’m not asking for anything I’m not also doing,” she said. “I work. I invest. I take care of myself. So I want a man who is also serious about his life.”
She added that she’s not desperate to marry, which is why she can afford to be selective. “If it doesn’t make sense financially and emotionally, then it’s not for me.”
Experts say conversations like this are important because they force couples to talk about money early — something many avoid until problems start.
Financial therapist Elsie Owusu noted that couples who discuss income, debt, goals, and spending habits before marriage tend to have fewer conflicts later.
“It’s not wrong to care about money in marriage,” she said. “It’s wrong to only care about money. You need love, respect, communication, AND financial alignment.”
Rose Gold’s statement — “I can’t marry a poor man” — was blunt, but it opened up a real discussion.
She isn’t the first public figure to say wealth matters in marriage, and she won’t be the last. What made her comment stand out was the clarity: for her, marriage is a team effort, and financial stability is part of the foundation.
Whether you agree or disagree, the reaction shows how much people care about this topic.
And in a time where economic pressure is affecting households across Ghana and beyond, that’s a perspective many people understand — even if they don’t share it.
