Indonesian man, 74, pays US$180,000 to marry woman, 24, raising eyebrows, debate
Controversy rages over nuptials after which groom allegedly flees on motorbike without paying wedding photographer
A 74-year-old Indonesian man has caused a stir after reportedly paying a bride price of three billion rupiah (US$180,000) to marry a woman 50 years his junior.
The unlikely couple allegedly fuelled the controversy after they disappeared without paying their photographer, prompting a police investigation.
A lavish wedding ceremony took place on October 1, in Pacitan Regency, East Java province, when the man, named Tarman, publicly announced his marriage to 24-year-old Shela Arika and presented a hefty bride price of three billion Indonesian rupiah.
It is unclear how the couple met.
According to the wedding videography team, they were initially informed that the bride price would be a billion rupiah (US$60,000). However, during the event, it was suddenly “upgraded” to three billion rupiah.
Videos circulating online show the ceremony held at a lavish venue, with guests erupting in cheers as the groom presented a cheque for three billion rupiah.
Instead of receiving wedding gifts, the hosts reportedly gave out 100,000 rupiah (US$6) in cash to guests.
