Newsmakers

An unusual business venture by a 67-year-old Colombian woman has gone viral after she revealed that she makes money by collecting and selling neighborhood gossip — and claims the earnings helped her buy two houses.

Identified as Miryam, the retiree is from Armenia, in Colombia’s Quindio department. She reportedly spent years observing the lives of people around her and gradually transformed her reputation as someone who knew everyone’s business into an unconventional source of income. From Neighborhood Observer to “Professional Gossip”

According to reports, Miryam begins her day sitting outside her home, where she observes the comings and goings in the neighborhood and listens to conversations.

She reportedly keeps detailed notes about family disputes, relationships, disagreements and other happenings in the community. Some reports say her records include names, dates, photographs and information about relationships between residents.

Over time, she realized that people were willing to pay for information about what was happening around them.

She began charging customers depending on how interesting or sensitive the gossip was.

How Much Does She Charge?
Miryam reportedly charges around 5,000 to 10,000 Colombian pesos for ordinary neighborhood gossip. More sensitive or sensational information can command considerably higher prices.

One of her most lucrative claims involves a payment of 700,000 Colombian pesos for keeping sensitive information about an alleged affair confidential.

Reports say Miryam has claimed that, in some cases, people have paid her specifically to remain silent rather than reveal what she knows.

She Claims Gossip Helped Her Buy Two Houses
The most surprising part of Miryam’s story is her claim that the unusual business has been profitable enough to help her purchase two houses.
She has reportedly described herself as a professional “chismosa” — Spanish for a gossip or someone who enjoys discussing other people's affai
In a recent interview that circulated online, she reportedly indicated that gossip is simply part of her life and that there is money to be made because people are naturally interested in what happens around them.
Story Sparks Debate Over Privacy
While many people have found Miryam’s unusual business amusing, her story has also raised questions about privacy and ethics.

Selling information about other people's personal lives can potentially create conflicts, particularly when the information involves relationships, family disputes or private matters. Some online reactions have also questioned the practice of accepting money in exchange for keeping sensitive information secret.

Reports covering Miryam’s story, however, have not identified any confirmed legal case against her.

From Local Gossip to Viral Fame
What may have started as a neighborhood habit has now attracted attention far beyond Miryam’s community. Videos and reports about her unusual income source have circulated widely on social media, turning her into a viral character.

Her story offers an unusual example of how something that is normally considered idle chatter can be turned into a commercial activity — although it also highlights the fine line between entertaining gossip and exposing someone’s private life.

For Miryam, however, the formula appears straightforward: know what is happening, know who wants to know it, and put a price on the information.