I've always had a bit of a thing for older men and dated in the range 10-13 years older than me from my mid twenties, to be honest they were just more interesting to me, more life experience and more chill and happy with themselves, they had a confidence in themselves that I found really attractive.
Nothing to do with money, I've never wanted someone to 'look after me', I wanted someone independent who could look after themselves. My own age group wouldn't have their own house or their shit together, a lot are still coddled by their mums and expect a woman to fulfill that role in some way, they can be quite self absorbed and superficial, you couldn't really talk about interesting topics or talk too 'deeply' about things. Maybe I just didn't come across the right ones...
As I've got into my forties, most of my age group of guys seem to have caught up, so I think it does level off eventually, but it doesn't surprise me that women in their 20's want a guy older than them to be on the same level from a maturity point of view.
It seems you're struggling with the confidence that normally comes with age and experience, but don't let anyone convince you that 'attractiveness' is purely based on looks, it isn't at all, being happy and confident in yourself is a really attractive quality, but only you can pinpoint what it is that can make you feel that way.. you need to get your mojo back!