A Cuban woman living in Miami has sparked significant conversation on social media after posting a TikTok video where she candidly states what she considers to be the biggest mistake a woman can make: relying financially on a man.
Known as @azulina1oficial to her approximately 1.2 million followers on the platform, the Cuban influencer begins her video with a personal confession to draw in her audience: "The worst mistake I ever made was letting a man support me while I was a 24/7 slave in the house."
Drawing from her own life, she issues a direct call to women: "Work, fight, earn your own money. His money is his, yours is yours. Don't depend on anyone; rely on yourself."
While she doesn't exclude the idea of a partner contributing financially to the household, she sets a clear boundary: "He should help you, yes, but what's yours is yours. The day he kicks you out, you should be able to leave with your head held high."
The crux of her message is that financial dependence is not just about money, but power: "If you don't work and you're a lazy person stuck as a slave, that man holds power over you. Don't allow that."
She concludes the video with a reflection that encapsulates her life philosophy: "There's no worse poverty than depending on someone; even for the smallest thing, if you have to depend on someone, that's misery."
Her personal motto, which she uses to wrap up the clip, has become widely quoted by those who share the video: "A woman who supports herself never kneels before anyone."
Azulina's message didn’t emerge from nowhere. She emigrated from Cuba in 2023 via the humanitarian parole program and, as she shared in a live stream in March of this year, transitioned from working as a waitress to making $5,000 a month through online sales. Her profile boasts over 45 million likes and more than 1,500 videos, most of which focus on female entrepreneurship, dropshipping, and digital marketing.
Her story aligns with a broader trend. Other Cuban women in the diaspora have celebrated similar achievements, such as buying a home in the United States without male support or arriving alone in Spain and building a life from scratch.
Within Cuba, the situation propels women in the same direction. A Cuban couple needs over 40,000 pesos a month just for food, which equals six average salaries, according to the Food Monitor Program. This harsh reality has driven many women to start their own ventures out of necessity, like the young Cuban woman earning income while living in Cuba or the one who started with less than $100 and now celebrates her business success.
The debate over how Cuban couples manage their finances has also gained momentum online. A Cuban influencer recently shared how she and her boyfriend divide their finances, sparking a similar discussion about financial independence and dependency in relationships.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 58% of Cubans who emigrated to the United States in 2023 and 2024 were women, a statistic that underscores the drive for autonomy in the decision to leave the island.
The Financial Independence Movement Among Cuban Women
Why does Azulina believe financial independence is crucial for women?
Azulina argues that financial independence is crucial because it prevents a man from having power over a woman. She believes that relying on a man's income can lead to a loss of autonomy and personal power.
What trend does Azulina's story illustrate?
Azulina's story is part of a larger trend where Cuban women in the diaspora are achieving financial independence and success on their own terms, often starting from challenging circumstances.
How has the economic situation in Cuba influenced women to seek independence?
The severe economic conditions in Cuba, where basic necessities require multiple salaries, have pushed many women to start their own businesses or find alternative income sources to survive.