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₹300 for a Small Secret, ₹16,000 to Keep a Big One Hidden : Meet Colombia’s Professional ‘Gossip Queen’
New Delhi : Most people try to stay away from gossipers, worried that their private conversations might become the next big piece of gossip. But in Colombia, a woman named Mariam has turned gossip into an unusual and highly profitable profession. Instead of simply spreading rumours for fun, Mariam reportedly listens carefully to people, collects information and secrets, documents what she hears and then charges money for revealing—or keeping—those secrets. What began as casual gossip has reportedly helped her earn enough money to buy a house.
Mariam describes herself as a professional “chismosa”, a Spanish term commonly used for a gossiping woman. She reportedly walks around with a notebook, carefully recording interesting pieces of information she hears from people around her. But she claims she does not simply repeat everything she hears. Before sharing sensitive information, she says she tries to gather evidence to support the claims, turning everyday gossip into something resembling a personal information business.
Her unusual pricing system has also attracted attention. For small pieces of information, Mariam reportedly charges around ₹150 to ₹300. However, when it comes to more sensitive secrets, the price can rise dramatically. In one case, she reportedly received ₹16,000 from a person who wanted her to keep quiet about a romantic relationship.
Mariam’s work reportedly involves more than just collecting stories. At her home, she has created a board displaying photographs and other materials, which she considers evidence supporting the information she has gathered. The collection serves as a record of the secrets and stories she has accumulated over time.
Her unusual profession has turned ordinary conversations into a source of income, with people reportedly approaching her when they want information revealed or when they desperately want something kept confidential. While many people consider gossip harmful and intrusive, Mariam appears to have built an entirely different business model around it.
For her, gossip is no longer simply something people whisper about in neighbourhoods or among friends. It has become a profession, a source of income and, in her own words, a part of her life. From charging a few hundred rupees for minor details to demanding thousands to keep major secrets hidden, Colombia’s unusual “gossip millionaire” has certainly found a business model unlike any other.
