Article:

Japanese TV star, Madam Dewi's views on marriage make waves in Japan

On September 4, 2022, the Nippon TV variety show Sekai no hate made itte kyu, or Off you go to the ends of the earth, aired a special episode featuring the Japanese-Indonesian businesswoman, socialite, television personality and philanthropist Dewi Sukarno, widely known in Japan as Devi fujin, or Madam Dewi. She was also the third wife of former Indonesian President Sukarno.

The show was set in Dubai and featured a "Girls' Night Out" with Madam Dewi and other personalities.

Madam Dewi's views on marriage:
On the show, Madam Dewi, together with models Maria Tani, Akane Hotta and Yumena Yanai, enjoy sightseeing in Dubai before heading to a restaurant to enjoy a sumptuous dinner.

During the meal, Hotta asks Madam Dewi the age-old question: "Which is more important, love or money?"

Taking it in stride, Madam Dewi replied with another question: "If you could choose between a man whom you loved with an annual income of 2 million yen (around $13,900) and a man whom you didn't love with an annual income of 20 billion yen (around $139 million), which one would it be?"

In response to Madam Dewi's question, the three models immediately answered, "Even if the man's income is low, it's better if you love each other."

Madam Dewi laughed and rejected their answers, jokingly calling them "all idiots." But then, with a serious expression on her face, she explained her own view of things:

If your partner's income is low, no matter how much you love them, you will always be looking at other people's lifestyles, other people's houses, other people's clothes... and gradually, you will lose your love for him.

But if you marry a man who earns 20 billion yen, even if you don't have love for him, you'll have respect for him, you'll have trust in him.

Then, gradually, love will blossom.

Madam Dewi says that her original life was not a wealthy one. When she was in high school, she even worked to feed her family.

At the age of 17, she got a job at an exclusive club where foreign celebrities gathered, and when she was 19, she met former President Sukarno, who later became her husband.

She has experienced both poverty and wealth, and tasted both the sweet and the sour sides of life, which is why she believes that "even if you don't love your partner, your respect for and trust in them will naturally develop."

After the program aired, Madam Dewi's comments became a hot topic of conversation on the Internet, and it made many people think about marriage. For example, some of the comments were:

"Realistically speaking, yes, it is true. Money makes people happy."
"When someone succeeds in earning that much money, I suppose you trust and respect them as human beings."

Each person has his/her/their own standards. It's one of life's choices and could be the path that leads to happiness for some people and not for others.

Useful Words & Phrases for Making Your Opinion:

私たちは相性がいい。　We have good chemistry.

価値観　sense of value

Questions:

What do you think of this article?

Do you agree or disagree with the Madam Dewi's views on marriage?

Are there any bad points about getting married only for love?

Are there any bad points about getting married only for money?

Do you think there are any other important points when someone decide to get married?

What do you think is important after getting married and to keep good married life?

What is the most impressive experience when you travel abroad? or if you've never traveled abroad, what country do you want to go the most? Why?

What is your favorite TV program?

Jun.8 Love or Money?