Yes, this thread is sad in places, of course it is.
But those blithely stating that others shouldn't remain in an unhappy relationship 'for money' must surely be in the fortunate position of knowing that if they had to leave, they'd be able to do so.
It's a whole different ball game if you have little or no equity, savings or other assets, if you don't have a well paid job, if you have no family or friends who have your back and are willing and able to help you emotionally, practically or financially. These considerations are compounded if you don't have youth on your side and therefore realistically are never going to get the opportunity to earn a decent wage in order to support yourself. Some older women may actually already be retired and unfortunately as attractive to most prospective employers as yesterday's news.
There is a world of difference between splitting up and accepting lifelong frugality as the price you have to pay for peace of mind .... vs .... leaving and condemning yourself to literal poverty. Quite possibly this is the worst possible time to be contemplating a split in recent memory due to the housing crisis and the introduction of UC. For anyone in need of a safety net, and who doesn't have the means to buy one, well .... there isn't one. So people stay together, unhappily, for years ... and not 'for the money', as if they're enjoying a flash lifestyle, but because they can't pretend they don't need a roof over their head and to be able to afford to eat or clothe themselves.
It is incredibly stressful to live like that of course and inevitably your mental health suffers. But there isn't a viable alternative for some people. There isn't always a way out. Rest assured most in that position will be living, or should that be existing, in wretched daily turmoil. It's not always about gold digging but about survival. Small wonder that a number of couples would reassess their relationship if their numbers came in.