B&B Couple Denies “Gold Digger” Claims
Reality TV stars **Albert Dirks** and **Joyce van der Tas** hit back at accusations following their engagement.
After finding love on the reality show “B&B full of love,” Dutch couple **Albert Dirks**, 65, and **Joyce van der Tas**, 53, have become engaged. However, their blossoming relationship faced early scrutiny, with **Joyce** being labeled a “gold digger.” She has now spoken out to address the persistent rumors.
Addressing “Nonsense” Accusations
Joyce van der Tas described the “gold digger” label as the “biggest prejudice” she has encountered. She refuted the claims, stating, “Nonsense. I am a business controller, I have my own owner-occupied home.” The entrepreneur revealed that she was drawn to **Albert**’s charisma and his estate, particularly noting the “vulnerability in his voice when he spoke about his children” in his proposal video.
“I was impressed by Albert’s charisma and his castle, when I saw his proposal video. And especially of the vulnerability in his voice when he spoke about his children.”
—Joyce van der Tas
The initial connection was immediate. According to Joyce, she felt a “deep connection” with Albert “from the first moment.” She instinctively knew they would become a couple, though she acknowledged his initial hesitation due to his previous long-term relationship.
Navigating Public Scrutiny
The couple chose a direct approach to deal with the public reaction to their relationship after the show aired. “Albert and I consciously avoided all the criticism,” Joyce explained. She added that despite online negativity, “The daily reactions on the street are only positive.”
Albert Dirks maintained his authenticity throughout the filming process. He expressed his enjoyment of the experience and described Joyce as “the nicest woman in the world.” He recalled recognizing “the wonder” in her eyes upon their first meeting. “Joyce is handsome, cozy, caring and a connector. A beautiful person,” he stated.
A Proposal for Life
The couple’s strong bond was further showcased in a later episode, “B&B full of love: how are you now?”. In it, a nervous Albert proposed to Joyce in front of others, declaring his love and desire to spend the rest of his life with her. Joyce readily accepted, noting his visible nerves.
The engagement news comes as relationship stability is a growing concern. A recent study found that the divorce rate in the Netherlands, while fluctuating, remains a significant societal factor, with approximately one in three marriages ending in divorce according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS) data from 2023 (CBS, 2023).
Further details about the couple’s engagement are available in a video accompanying the original report.
