Powerlifter and bodybuilder Larry Wheels recently opened up about the financial dynamics in his marriage, addressing criticism about his relationship in a podcast appearance. The athlete directly acknowledged that wealth and status played a crucial role in attracting his wife.
When asked why people criticize his relationship, Wheels was remarkably straightforward. “I’ve been trying to figure that out for myself. I have standards as she does. And it’s funny, they call her a gold digger, but so am I. I like gold. Who doesn’t like gold? And she wants someone that can provide and I’m stepping up to the plate. I like to do that for my woman.”
The bodybuilder explained that his wife is “a very attractive woman that can be with a lot of different men that have a lot of money. And if I didn’t have said money, status, and whatever else, I wouldn’t have been able to pull her.”
When pressed further, he acknowledged: “And that’s the opinion of many on the internet. And I believe to attract a woman of her stature, young, 10 out of 10, beautiful, intelligent, you need to bring something to the table, right? When I didn’t have money and status, a woman like her just wasn’t even [looking at me].”
Wheels was even more direct when discussing how financial status factored into their relationship. “That’s first and foremost,” he said when asked if money and status were his wife’s primary criteria. “That allows me the opportunity to even get in the door with her, right? But the personality is obviously a big part of it because she’s had, look, I wish I can show her DMs. She has DMs from countless men with money and status.”
He elaborated on his wife’s options in the dating market, particularly in Dubai where they met. “A woman with her stature doesn’t have a problem finding a man that can provide for her, right? There is no shortage of men, especially in Dubai where I met her, with money and status. There are men much richer than I, that have tried to be with her that failed, right? So it’s just the game I’m playing.”
The conversation took an interesting turn when discussing whether his wife would have been with him without his financial success. Wheels confirmed the relationship was contingent on his status.
“Probably not because not that you’re not necessarily able to pull her because she’s so above your league. You wouldn’t be able to pull her without money and status because she’s only going to be with somebody with money and status,” host Matan Even noted. Wheels agreed with this assessment: “Sure, of course.”
When challenged about why he would pursue someone primarily interested in his wealth, Wheels defended his choice. “What is the problem with her looking for a man that has money and status that can provide for her the lifestyle that she wants?”
Despite the transactional nature some perceive in the relationship, Wheels believes his wife contributes significantly. “I think she does plenty for me. She cooks, cleans, and she’s going to be the mother of my children as well. So is that nothing to you? Is that doing nothing? No contribution?”
Th host pushed back, saying: “I think she’s doing it in bad faith, though. You know what I mean? It’s like just because a gold digger is going to do wifely things doesn’t mean they’re doing it because they like you. She’s doing it because you have a lot of money.”
During the conversation, the powerlifter also revealed the couple decided against a prenuptial agreement, a decision that raised eyebrows given his admission about the financial basis of their relationship.
“She didn’t convince me. I disagreed to do it. She volunteered, I said we don’t need to. I believe we’re going to last forever,” Wheels explained, though he later clarified, “That’s what I said.”
Throughout the discussion, Wheels maintained that he married someone he trusts and expressed confidence they would be together forever.
