A 79-year-old British multimillionaire and aristocrat, Sir Benjamin Slade, has captured global attention after publicly announcing that he is seeking a young woman to marry and bear him a son. The announcement has gone viral, with many on social media reacting to his unusual request. Slade’s primary motive is to secure a male heir who can inherit his considerable fortune and continue his family lineage, a concern he has expressed repeatedly in recent years.
Who Is Sir Benjamin Slade?
Sir Benjamin Slade is a prominent British baronet and the owner of the historic Maunsel House estate located in Somerset. The estate is a sprawling property reportedly covering approximately 1,300 acres and has been passed down through his family for generations. It is noted for its architectural beauty and extensive grounds, which include gardens, farmlands, and multiple buildings associated with traditional British aristocracy.
Despite his substantial wealth, social standing, and long family history, Sir Slade does not have a direct male heir to carry on the family title or inherit the estate. This absence of a male successor has motivated his highly publicized search for a young woman capable of giving him a son, thereby preserving the family lineage and title for future generations.
The Unusual Offer
Sir Slade has reportedly placed advertisements seeking a woman in her 20s or 30s who is willing to enter into marriage with him for the explicit purpose of producing a male child. The proposed arrangement is not limited to mere companionship; it also includes a substantial financial incentive, with an annual salary of up to £50,000. Additionally, the woman would receive luxury perks including access to a private jet, high-end accommodations, and the chance to live a lavish lifestyle on the countryside estate.
He has emphasized that the primary goal of this arrangement is to secure a son who would inherit both the estate and the family title, ensuring the continuation of the Slade family legacy. This candid approach has drawn attention and sparked widespread debate regarding the ethics, legality, and social implications of such a proposition.
Past Attempts and ‘Good Breeder’ Comment
This public appeal is not the first time Sir Slade has sought to find a way to preserve his lineage. In 2025, he made headlines for stating that he was searching for a “good breeder” to help secure a male heir. At that time, he expressed frustration over the lack of a direct male successor and the difficulties he had faced in ensuring the continuation of his family name.
Sir Slade has also disclosed that he attempted surrogacy abroad, but these efforts failed to produce a male heir. His openness about these previous attempts demonstrates his persistent focus on preserving the Slade family line, a goal he now continues to pursue through this high-profile and unconventional search for a wife and potential mother of his heir.
Netizens React
The announcement has elicited a wave of responses on X (formerly Twitter) and other social media platforms. Many users reacted with humor, jokes, and satirical “applications,” while others debated the ethical and social implications of such a proposal. Some commenters expressed disbelief, while others critiqued the transactional nature of the arrangement, highlighting the unusual combination of wealth, status, and reproductive expectations.
See below for some of the viral reactions and images circulating online;
