Sir Benjamin Slade, a wealthy 79-year-old landowner in Somerset who publicly expressed that he wanted a younger woman to have a son ...

Sir Benjamin Slade, a 79-year-old millionaire landowner in Somerset, has been at the center of controversy with his public quest for a younger woman to bear him a son. As the 7th Baronet, Slade inherited his title and estate, Maunsel House, from his father in 1962. The estate, which includes a 13-bedroom Grade II*-listed mansion, has been in the family for centuries and is now facing an uncertain future ¹ ².

Slade's desire for a male heir stems from his wish to keep the estate within the family. However, his approach has been criticized for being old-fashioned and insensitive. In 2017, he advertised for a wife, stating that she should have a shotgun license, a driving license, a coat of arms, and be young enough to have sons. He also specified that he was not interested in candidates from countries beginning with 'I' or with green in their flags, Scots, lesbians, or communists ³.

Slade's personal life has been the subject of media attention, with multiple relationships and marriages. He was married to Pauline Myburgh from the late 1970s to 1991, citing her 17 cats as an impediment to the marriage. He also had relationships with Fiona Aitken, the current wife of the Earl of Carnarvon, and Kirsten Hughes, an actress who starred in "Jane and the Lost City" ³ ⁴.

Recently, Slade met American poet and composer Sahara Sunday Spain, who is 46 years his junior. The couple appeared on the Channel 5 show "Millionaire Age Gap Love" and announced that they were expecting a child. However, the relationship ended when Slade cancelled their second wedding, citing that he didn't know the sex of the baby. Spain gave birth to a daughter, Violet, and Slade has acknowledged paternity but has shown no interest in meeting his child ⁵.

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The future of Maunsel House is uncertain, with the estate reportedly facing financial difficulties. Slade has been in talks with a luxury hotel group to take over the estate, but it's unclear what this means for the future of the property ⁵.

Slade's story raises questions about the complexities of inheritance, family legacy, and personal relationships. As a member of the aristocracy, Slade's desire for a male heir is driven by a sense of duty to his family and estate. However, his approach has been criticized for being outdated and insensitive. The story of Sir Benjamin Slade serves as a reminder that the old aristocracy is struggling to adapt to modern times ¹.