To think that any man who takes 35 years to stop cheating on his wife is no "prize"?

[Cerseirys]

Depressing article in today's Guardian. The husband in question sounds like a complete creep yet his wife stuck with him through it all and now, after 35 years, he's finally stopped cheating on her and she thinks that's her reward for standing by her man.

AIBU to find it sad that some women put up with this? And before anyone says that maybe she was happy with the situation, it's quite clear in the article that she wasn't.

[chaosmonkey]

I just read that too. It sounded terribly sad. Poor woman.

[megletthesecond]

Isn't it awful. Poor woman.

[HopelesslydevotedtoGu]

I was proud of myself – getting fit really quickly, looking good and always ready to jump into bed with Matt when the babies were sleeping.

He slept with her best friend at the party after their son's Christening

He groped a pregnant mum publicly at a PTA event

This isn't just a 'high sex drive' as the author claims

I feel really sorry for her

[Petal02]

God, what a sad story. Probably not that unusual though.

[Cerseirys]

Yes Hopeless, he sounds like a sex pest doesn't he?

[Theendispie]

I refuse to click on The Guardian now just like I don't click on DM links.
But looking at that list of his crimes his balls on a platter seems like a viable option to me.

[Lottapianos]

Very sad and strange story. I found her reasons for deciding it was 'worth it' very vague. I wanted to give her a massive shake and felt terribly sorry for her at the same time. The anger she feels will find its way out somehow and 35 years of grinning and bearing it is a hell of a long time

[Cerseirys]

I've actually read cases of women who put up with shitty treatment for years and years from their husbands and finally snap after something relatively minor.

[BalloonSlayer]

He slept with her best friend at the party after their son's Christening

He groped a pregnant mum publicly at a PTA event

God! He sounds like Rupert Campbell-Black!

He's probably only faithful now because he's too old to pull any more.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

That is one fucked-up marriage.

The incidents she described show that he had no respect for her at all.

However, she made a deliberate choice to tolerate being treated like that.

[blindsider]

Is it about Tom Jones??

[BathtimeFunkster]

The way she tells her story it is one of her triumph over other women.

Tragic.

[iwuddarryl]

She's done a lifelong version of the 'pick me dance'

The worst part is, the silly cow,can't see it.

[Pipbin]

I read that too and was about to start a thread.
Poor woman was clearly on the verge of a breakdown the whole time. Lots of references to keeping fit and slim to keep him.
What kind of git would screw your friend at your child's Christianing and what kind of friend was she!!

[Quietlifenotonyournelly]

I didn't click on the link but putting up with 35 years of cheating is just .... jeeze, I just don't have the words....

[IWasHereBeforeTheHack]

Ah, if only MN had been around 35 years ago. Or even 20.

[waterrat]

That was really depressing reading indeed. They are Co dependent and shit role models for their children.

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

Sounds like she could have done better to me!

I hope she finds a good way forward from where she is now

[pocketsaviour]

I think he stopped seeing other women about five years ago, when we both reached 50 and our first grandchild was born.

Despite a complete lack of evidence that he in any way changed, or that they even had a conversation about it. Seriously deluded.

[ThatsNotMyRabbit]

Meh. I suppose it's a shame for her but she chose to put up with it for the sake of money and status.

Also, disdain for other women drips from every letter. She doesn't sound any nicer than him really.

[OTheHugeManatee]

The Guardian really does have it in for women these days, doesn't it?

[TheCrimsonPleb]

What a depressing situation. Cutting out concerned friends, going on hunger strike (effectively) all to keep hold of her prize. Where is the dignity?

[moggiek]

Just read the article. Cripes!

[LoisWilkersonsLastNerve]

I have no sympathy what so ever for the woman, she sounds like a very shallow arse herself. Not wanting to "disturb our lovely life"?