Pernilla Sjoholm: A Tale of Resilience, Betrayal, and Triumph

Pernilla‘s story revolves around a painful betrayal she experienced at the hands of her friend, Shimon Hayut, also known as Simon Leviev, a notorious playboy scammer, and con artist. Shimon targeted European women on the popular dating app Tinder, weaving an intricate web of lies to make them believe he was a wealthy diamond company owner.

Collaborating on the documentary “The Tinder Swindler”, Pernilla bravely shared her personal experiences and opened up about her heartbreak. Through interviews and public appearances, she shed light on her pain and sorrow, ultimately inspiring women worldwide to be cautious and empowered in their relationships.

Born in the vibrant city of Stockholm, Sweden, Pernilla’s path crossed with Shimon Hayut on Tinder, and they began communicating in early 2018. Their relationship quickly blossomed, leading them to meet in enchanting cities such as Amsterdam, Stockholm, Rome, and Mykonos.

At the time, Pernilla was a woman of means, having earned her wealth through various endeavors. Unfortunately, Shimon Hayut saw an opportunity to exploit her, using her to gain insights into luxurious lifestyles and fashionable circles. He skillfully played the role of a wealthy gentleman, successfully convincing Pernilla of his fabricated identity.

However, the facade crumbled in November 2018 when Shimon began relentlessly asking Pernilla for money. Claiming to be under attack and unable to trust anyone but her, he manipulated her emotions and drained her financially. Little did Pernilla know that Shimon had been dating another woman while betraying her trust. Both fell victim to Shimon’s deception and were exploited for financial gain.

Despite her pain and setbacks, Pernilla emerged as a beacon of hope and resilience. In recent years, she has found love and happiness with her partner Carl Schirren, with whom she now shares the joy of twin children. While her personal life flourished, Pernilla’s professional endeavors continued to soar.

Driven by her own experiences, Pernilla embarked on a consulting career, dedicating herself to helping women rebuild their lives, regain their self-esteem, and find their way back to success. Her story is a powerful motivational example, showcasing how a woman can rise above adversity, reclaim her power, and rebuild her life even stronger.

In an exclusive interview with our team, we had the privilege of delving deeper into Pernilla’s incredible journey and gaining insights into her life today. Her story reminds us that no matter our challenges, we have the strength to overcome, grow, and thrive.

Photo Kateryna Voroniuk

Everyone is inquiring about your involvement in Simon’s story. However, I would like to highlight the unique nature of your role, as you are the only woman in the film who did not have a romantic relationship with him yet played a crucial part in his capture. What advice can you offer young ladies seeking love on platforms like Tinder or other social networks? How can they safeguard themselves?

I would say that a lot has changed since the release of AI because the apps need to take more responsibility for themselves, especially regarding verifying identities. Nowadays, it’s possible to fake voices and even create video calls that give the illusion of conversing with someone who isn’t actually present. While dating apps have revolutionized how we meet people, we must exercise caution and remember that not everyone is genuine or has good intentions. However, I believe most people on these apps genuinely seek love. So, I wouldn’t advise being overly fearful but rather remaining cautious and mindful.

Share with us the significant changes that have occurred in your life since the release of the Netflix production.

The transformation was intense and rapid since it achieved such tremendous success. Suddenly, I became globally renowned overnight, opening doors to numerous opportunities. However, at the core, I had already encountered the love of my life before the movie’s release. This led me to make the decision to prioritize starting a family and centering my focus on what truly matters—the family. I am a contented and joyous mother, striving to dedicate as much time as possible to my little ones while managing some work. As my babies grow a bit older, I plan to gradually increase my professional commitments.

How would you describe the world of online dating? Is it possible for it to foster healthy connections?

I think online dating can definitely be a healthy option since it has become the primary way people meet nowadays. However, I do have some concerns about the prevalence of dishonesty. It would be great to see more dating service companies implementing strict identification verification processes similar to those used by reliable matchmakers. I also hope that dating trends will lean towards a more traditional approach, where connections are built gradually over time. If I were currently single, I would definitely consider using a matchmaker. Thankfully, there are already a few available options, but having more reputable matchmakers would be even better for both single women and single men.

Photo Kateryna Voroniuk

In your role as a motivational speaker, how do you incorporate your experience with Simon’s story? Which personal experiences have guided you in finding your life’s purpose?

For me, when it comes to the story, I tend to focus more on motivational speaking and how one can overcome challenges. It’s about rising above when you hit rock bottom, feeling like you’ve lost everything, and rebuilding yourself, including your self-esteem. We must remember that financial setbacks can lead to a significant increase in suicide rates, a topic that is often overlooked. Therefore, it is crucial to address this issue and uplift people, motivating them to regain control of their lives and rediscover happiness.

It is crucial to remember that financial hardships can significantly impact mental health, leading to a staggering 25% increase in suicide rates. This is an alarmingly high statistic that often goes undiscussed. Therefore, I believe it is of utmost importance to shed light on this issue and raise awareness.

I know it may sound cliché, but at the end of the day, nothing matters more than your health. In that sense, I consider myself the wealthiest person in the world. I have my health, an incredible family, amazing friends, and beautiful children fortunate to be in good health. This is what truly brings me immense happiness. Today, I find myself in a profoundly contented and joyful place.

As a successful woman with a family and children, could you tell us how you met your husband?

We aren’t officially married, but we actually met through mutual friends, which is the best way for me, in an old classic way, especially considering what I have experienced. So, we crossed paths in Stockholm, Sweden, through our shared circle of friends.

Did he meet your search criteria? Was it an immediate connection?

Yes, it was love at first sight, but I was also deeply hurt and struggling with trust issues. He had to put in the effort to earn my trust, and I found that incredibly adorable. It blossomed into something truly incredible, and yes, he did everything right. He is genuinely kind-hearted, a wonderful person who treats me like a princess. I find myself living in the best possible world I could have imagined for myself.

Where do you consider home now? Despite having twins, do you still maintain your status as a global citizen as before

Currently, we split our time between Stockholm, Sweden, and Marbella, Spain. We have homes in both locations. Additionally, the kids have their grandfather in Menton, France, so we make trips there as well. We try not to travel excessively at the moment, as our babies are still very young. My “husband–boyfriend” also has a job that involves frequent travel as well.

Pernilla Sjoholm’s story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of women everywhere, and her resilience continues to inspire and empower women to embrace their own journeys of self-discovery, healing, and triumph.

Photo Kateryna Voroniuk