What would you do if you suddenly became rich? Would the new found wealth change who you are, or how you behave? Most people would probably like the answer to be “No,” that money wouldn’t change them if they gained it overnight.
But these stories from Reddit and the Buzzfeed Community say otherwise, with people sharing how their partners changed after coming into money.
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One woman said her husband left her
After having been the main breadwinner of the family, one woman watched her husband inherit $1 million after his father died and “Suddenly, he wants a divorce and has a girlfriend.”
She had been taking care of their three kids while studying and running a business and had suggested early retirement to him, as she was already providing for the family.
Another woman found herself in a similar situation
A user shared a very similar story, having been “the sole consistent provider” of the family for 18 years, she explained that she would sometimes have to withdraw from her retirement fund to help with her husband’s finances.
After he inherited some money, she asked if he could help pay her credit card, and while he accepted, he asked her to pay him back $200 per paycheck, which made her feel “like a fool.”
One user still doesn’t think they’ll ever retire
Another anonymous user shared that they have been married for over 30 years with them as the primary earner of the family while the wife was a stay-at-home mom.
The two never had separate money and would constantly fight over finances during their marriage and hadn’t saved money until the wife inherited a lot of money.
The wife became a millionaire
The user continued the story saying they realized they wouldn’t be able to retire as they hadn’t saved any money. But the wife inherited $18.6 million in 2021 and suddenly decided she wanted their finances to be separate.
“I am so hurt and bitter!” The user wrote, explaining that they have to tell their kids they still work because of the love for work rather than because the wife doesn’t want to help with the finances.
An anonymous user relayed an experience with drugs
One user shared that their ex-husband had come into money when his company stock increased and he cashed it out. The money made him feel like he could do whatever he wanted.
They said that after 20 years of marriage and two kids, “He wound up giving a third of our cash to his paramour,” as well as suffering a drug problem for a while before becoming clean.
A sales worker’s husband asked her to quit the job
One sales worker had been complaining about her job to her husband. After he came into money by inheriting seven figures, he asked her to retire so they could spend more time together and start a business.
She doesn’t like the thought of being financially dependent on him and feels as though “that’s a recipe for resentment down the line.”
Another shared their husband always asks for their money
Another user shared that while they never ask for a part of their husband’s money, he always asks for part of theirs. He has argued with them over acting on money left by a great-uncle, saying it was family money.
Meanwhile, he hadn’t offered any money to them when he inherited from his grandfather and they say “he wasn’t like this prior to us being married.”
A husband was hurt by the way his wife handled money
One user shared that he has been in a happy marriage for 20 years, and that with his current income, they are “what most would call wealthy.”
He and his wife hadn’t had any separate accounts or fights over money — until she inherited $20k from her grandfather.
The wife was upset at her husband over the money
Because they had always had a joint account, the husband put the inheritance money in it, which made her angry as she had planned to set up a separate one for the money.
After he asked her what she’d like to do with the money while supporting her “expensive habits.” She told him to stay out of it, which left him hurt and confused, as they had never fought over money before.
One user spoke about their dad instead
An anonymous user shared how money changed their father, saying that he built a successful business and when he made a lot of money, he started being lazy and “full of greed.”
While they are grateful for the things their father has provided, they admit there are no “real, genuine memories” with him as he would only think of love as buying things.
Another shared their wealthy ex’s selfishness
The story starts off with the disclaimer that most people wouldn’t think of this as “coming into money” but the user’s then-boyfriend had claimed unemployment benefits while staying at his wealthy home.
He had asked them to pay for half of his beer, knowing that they were struggling more with money, which was the point where they realized that “sometimes people with money can be way more selfish than people without it.”
Another user shared their wife always takes control on money
One person shared that when their wife inherited some money, she didn’t involve them in plans of what the money will be used for.
Now that they are also about to inherit, she is planning for it because “she should have equal say” but they feel as though she will take control of the money.
One person said wealth changed their relationship
A user shared how their fiancé’s private equity wealth changed their relationship so much that it just didn’t work out.
Without any hard feelings, the user shares they’re happy for their ex where they are now, but that the money had caused them to drift apart as they couldn’t see eye to eye.
A user shared a happier story about wealth
One person shared the good effects of coming into money, saying that their husband had received around $200K from a family member who passed away.
The money helped remove financial stress off his shoulders and he’s now much happier knowing there is money for emergencies.
Another shared a heartwarming story
Someone shared that their fiancé had been helping his elderly neighbor with house chores and errands, and when she passed away he found out she was extremely wealthy and left him part of her estate.
Since he was financially comfortable, he set up scholarships and donations with the money instead. He passed away eight years ago. “I miss him more every day,” the person wrote.
