Most people head off on holiday looking for sun, relaxation, and maybe a good cocktail by the pool.
But for 65-year-old grandmother Zena from leafy Surrey, a vacation in The Gambia turned her life upside down.
What began as a simple trip to a resort in Banjul ended in a whirlwind romance with 44-year-old waiter Ebrima—one that has since played out on reality TV screens and stirred up a storm of public opinion.
A Holiday Spark That Became More
Zena met Ebrima while he was serving guests at the resort, and despite the 21-year age gap, she was charmed instantly.
He wooed her with flowers, compliments, and attention that stood out from what she was used to back home.
Zena, who has four children, admitted she never found men her own age appealing—describing them as “bald with big guts” and comparing them to “washed-up coleslaw.”
But behind the initial attraction, their differences soon began to surface.
Ebrima, a practising Muslim, disapproved of Zena’s drinking and revealing outfits, which clashed with her more free-spirited lifestyle.
Giving Generously, But Raising Eyebrows
While Ebrima’s charm won her over, Zena showed her love in more practical ways.
She bought him a new iPhone, a mattress, and sent more than £1,000 over birthdays, Christmas, and to support his family during tough times.
For her, this was just generosity. For her family, it was a red flag.
Her relatives worried she was being used for money or even for a visa.
Her 95-year-old mother openly disapproved, and her granddaughter Tillie bluntly warned that Ebrima “could have four ladies exactly like you all sending him money.”
Suspicions, Secrets, and Social Media Drama
The cracks deepened when Zena discovered that Ebrima had a secret Facebook account, despite insisting he wasn’t on social media.
Not only was the profile active, but it listed him as “single” and was filled with scantily clad female friends.
Furious, Zena accused him of lying, calling his behaviour a betrayal.
Her doubts didn’t stop there. She suspected the woman Ebrima introduced as his “sister” might actually be his wife—especially after hearing a young boy call him “Dad.”
The Clash of Comforts
When Zena travelled back to The Gambia to meet Ebrima’s family, she was warmly welcomed, but the culture shock was real.
Used to British comforts, she was horrified by the hole-in-the-ground toilet and the unfinished room he claimed to have built for her.
“I wasn’t expecting Buckingham Palace, but I wasn’t expecting that,” she admitted, after realising the “room” was little more than a shack without a roof.
When Ebrima asked for another £2,000 to complete it, her patience ran thin.
Religion, Control, and Cultural Clashes
Their relationship quickly turned into a tug-of-war over lifestyle differences.
Ebrima wanted Zena to cover up and avoid alcohol. She, however, argued that she wasn’t Muslim and shouldn’t have to change who she was.
At one point, he told her to throw a revealing dress in the bin.
Zena accused him of being two-faced after discovering explicit content linked to his Facebook, which only deepened her mistrust.
Romance Tested on 90 Day Fiancé UK
The pair’s story became even more complicated once it was aired on the show 90 Day Fiancé UK.
While Zena braced herself for judgment, she didn’t expect the backlash.
Many viewers branded her a “sex tourist” and accused her of exploiting younger African men for her own desires.
Adding fuel to the fire, a since-deleted TikTok surfaced where Zena admitted another Gambian partner she once dated had hidden a wife and children from her—leading fans to speculate she had a pattern of such relationships.
Public Perception vs. Private Feelings
Despite the chaos, Zena often defended her relationship, insisting she genuinely loved Ebrima.
She admitted she missed him deeply when they were apart and clung to the belief that there were still “good things” about him worth fighting for.
Ebrima, for his part, promised faithfulness and occasionally melted her doubts with small gestures, like surprising her with wildflowers.
He acknowledged her financial support openly, saying she helped not just him but his entire family.
The Final Blow—Or Just Another Twist?
Things took a darker turn when a now-viral clip—later deleted—showed Zena stranded in The Gambia, claiming she’d discovered Ebrima was already married with three children.
In the emotional video, she revealed she had “bugger all” left, surviving on a tin of cream soda, some cheese, bread, and a chicken pie.
“I should have known when I had to buy my own wedding ring,” she confessed, visibly shaken.
She even admitted she might have to rely on her ex-husband or a GoFundMe page just to get home.
Some fans suggested the video was old and related to a different Gambian husband she’d married in the past, while others believed it was a prank. Either way, it cast yet another cloud of doubt over her controversial love life.
Where Do Zena and Ebrima Go From Here?
For now, their love story remains one of the most talked-about storylines in the 90 Day Fiancé UK franchise.
Whether Zena has truly found her last chance at romance—or simply fallen into another heartbreak—remains to be seen.
What’s clear is that their tale has sparked bigger conversations about cross-cultural relationships, money, power dynamics, and how far people will go for love in later life.
