Cayetano Martínez de Irujo, 61, to Wed Bárbara Mirjan, 29, Sparking Age Gap Debate

Cayetano Martínez de Irujo, son of the late Duchess of Alba, is set to marry his girlfriend, Bárbara Mirjan, after a decade-long relationship. The announcement has reignited discussions about age gaps in relationships, particularly as Mirjan was 18 when they met, while Martínez de Irujo was 52. This situation draws parallels to his mother's marriage to a man 24 years her junior, which faced intense scrutiny. The upcoming nuptials have prompted reflection on societal double standards regarding age differences in couples, with some questioning the normalization of older men dating significantly younger women. The debate also touches upon the developmental stage of young adults, with studies suggesting the female brain's decision-making capabilities are not fully mature until age 25, potentially leading to power imbalances in such relationships. Similar celebrity pairings, like Laura Escanes and Risto Mejide, and the criticism faced by María Teresa Campos for dating a younger man, highlight the complexities and societal judgments surrounding age-gap relationships.