A 65-year-old man marrying a teenage beauty queen sparked controversy online, with the couple facing criticism from social media trolls. Hissam Hussein Dehaini, 66, the former Mayor of Araucaria in Brazil, tied the knot with Kauane Rode, then 16, about a year ago. Kauane, who participated in the Miss Araucária contest in 2022 and secured the second position in the teen category, became widely known for her marriage to Hissam, who is nearly 50 years her senior<br /><br />Their relationship attracted significant attention and criticism, particularly due to the age gap and allegations that Hissam had promoted Kauane's mother, Marilene Rode, to a top job shortly before the wedding. Marilene, who was previously the director of the Department of Education, was appointed Secretary of Culture of Araucária, reportedly accompanied by a $1,500 pay rise.<br /><br />Despite the backlash, Kauane took to Instagram on their first anniversary to respond to critics. She posted screenshots of Google search results for herself and her husband, asking, "A year of wanting to know: Fans or haters?" This move reflects the couple's defiance against the negative attention they have received.<br /><br />In Brazil, the legal age for marriage is 16, requiring authorization from both parents or legal representatives. However, a law implemented in 2019 prohibits marriages under 16 under any circumstances. Despite this, Brazil has one of the highest rates of child brides globally, with millions of girls married before their 18th birthday.<br />