Pension Diaries: I’m a BDSM performer. My seven properties will be my pension

By the Editorial Team · Monday, August 31, 2026

Ariel Anderssen, a BDSM performer and author from Wales, has built a diversified income of over £200,000 annually through modeling, writing, and rental properties to secure her financial future. By expanding her property portfolio and focusing on passive income, she aims to sustain a flexible career while preparing for a retirement that balances continued work with reduced physical demands.

Ariel Anderssen, a 49-year-old BDSM performer and author based in Wales, has outlined her unconventional approach to financial security and retirement planning. Earning over £200,000 annually through a combination of modeling, writing, and rental income, Anderssen has built a diverse portfolio that she intends to rely on in her later years.

Raised in a strict Jehovah’s Witness household in Horsham, West Sussex, Anderssen initially did not anticipate a traditional career or the need for a pension, due to the religious community’s apocalyptic beliefs during the 1980s. After her family left the faith when she was 13, she faced the challenge of adapting to a new reality that required planning for a future beyond childhood.

Academically, Anderssen struggled early on, particularly with numerical subjects, later attributing these difficulties to an undiagnosed case of dyscalculia. Despite this, she pursued performing arts, enrolling in a drama school on a musical theatre course before transitioning to acting due to injury. She spent her early career touring in classical theatre productions, earning minimal income.

Financial necessity led Anderssen into modeling, where she was introduced to the BDSM community through bondage photography and film projects. Over 25 years, she has established herself as a submissive performer, participating in a variety of productions worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions prompted her to focus on producing custom films at home, which evolved into a lucrative source of passive income catering to niche client interests.

In addition to her performance work and writing—she has published two books, including an upcoming title focused on her professional life in BDSM—Anderssen manages a property portfolio. Starting with a flat in London purchased at age 29, she gradually expanded to owning seven properties across the UK, generating about £35,000 annually in rental income. She views property investment as a practical and comprehensible alternative to traditional pension schemes, which she finds overwhelming.

Looking ahead, Anderssen plans to acquire at least three more properties by the time she turns 55, aiming to increase her rental income to roughly £70,000 per year. While she expresses no desire to retire fully due to her passion for her work, she recognizes the physical demands of BDSM modeling may necessitate scaling back over time. Her goal is to maintain a sustainable income and the flexibility to continue performing custom videos into her later years.

Anderssen’s story reflects a blend of entrepreneurial adaptability and personal passion, demonstrating how alternative careers and investments can contribute to financial stability in retirement.

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