When Mia Lee, a high-end escort and former Wall Street banker, finishes her workday, she looks forward to her husband pouring her a glass of Sancerre. This harmonious routine might seem unusual to some, given the societal stigma surrounding sex work. However, for Lee and her husband, a financial technology executive, this is just another day in their non-traditional, yet fulfilling marriage.
Lee met her husband online, a common occurrence among busy professionals. She began her career in escorting shortly after they started dating. Despite the challenges that come with being open about her profession, Lee and her husband navigate their relationship with a blend of understanding and rationality.
Breaking Stereotypes in a Stigmatized Industry
Lee’s journey from a high-pressure finance job to escorting is not just a career shift but a statement against societal norms. “I worked 70 hours a week in finance, constantly stressed out,” she recalls. “Now I work 20 hours a week, if that, for the same amount of money and a lot less stress.”
Her husband’s reaction to her career change was supportive and pragmatic. “Oh, I think you’ll be very successful in that. Do you need help with your website?” he asked, highlighting their mutual rationality and lack of sexual jealousy. This acceptance is rare, as many of Lee’s colleagues have had to quit sex work due to partners who couldn’t handle it.
The Dynamics of a Non-Monogamous Marriage
Lee and her husband have an open relationship, a factor she believes contributes to their marital success. “It never occurred to us to be monogamous,” she explains. While many escorts maintain monogamous relationships, Lee’s experience has taught her that non-monogamy can offer valuable insights into commitment and partnership.
She elaborates, “Cheating is common, but divorce doesn’t have to be.” Her clients often seek experiences outside their marriages, not because they want to end their relationships, but because they desire what their partners cannot provide. This perspective challenges conventional views on fidelity and marriage.
Personal Relationships and Professional Life
In her personal life, Lee maintains a relationship with her girlfriend, whom she met at a photoshoot. Her husband, on the other hand, enjoys casual dates. They prioritize their careers, then each other, and finally, everyone else. “We both honestly love our careers more than anything else in the world, including each other,” she admits.
Despite their open marriage, Lee and her husband experience jealousy, but not in the way one might expect. “We become more envious over each other’s careers than we do about the people we’re having sex with,” she notes, emphasizing that their commitment is rooted in mutual growth rather than exclusivity.
Challenging Conventional Views on Commitment
Lee’s marriage defies traditional notions of commitment, demonstrating that love and partnership can thrive outside the bounds of monogamy. “For us, what keeps our marriage committed isn’t the exclusion of other sexual partners, but the ability to grow together,” she asserts.
Her experiences as an escort have reinforced this belief. “Being an escort in an open marriage means that I see many different kinds of people regularly, and I still choose to stay with my husband,” she says, highlighting the intentionality behind their relationship.
Conclusion: A Marriage Built on Independence and Rationality
Lee’s marriage, while unconventional, is a testament to the power of independent thinking and rationality. As both partners continue to navigate their careers and personal lives, they remain committed to each other in a way that challenges societal norms.
Mia Lee is not just an escort but a certified public accountant, former banker, and the chief financial officer at Petit Mort Magazine, a publication focused on the sex worker community. She also offers pro bono financial literacy and tax work in the adult industry, addressing the unique challenges sex workers face in accessing capital markets and building wealth.
