What Happens When a Man Marries Up?

When it comes to marriage, most understand why a woman would marry a man who earns more than she does.  It makes life easier for a woman who wants to raise children.  Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are a great example of a woman marrying up.  While this example is common, it happens even if the woman has a high income and net worth. However, when a man marries up, do people view it the same?  What does the man gain by marrying up?  Are those marriages just for love?  Or are they because the pool of eligible bachelors is too small?  Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian are an example of a man marrying up.

In the case of Serena Williams, some people say she settled.  Why?  When they married, her net worth was more than 20 times greater than his.  Even though he was worth $3 million, many claimed she was marrying down.  Our society only seems to approve of a man marrying down.   

Do men benefit by marrying up, regardless of socioeconomic class?  Are wealthy women marrying down for eye candy?  Or do they avoid marriage like Oprah and Stedman?  Or do wealthy women believe they no longer need a man because marriage puts her assets at risk in the case of divorce.  Since women make up 51% of the workforce, will it become more common for women to marry down?  

Let’s talk about whether or not the man or woman benefits when she marries down.  Join the discussion.