Can buying a sex doll save a marriage?

For Larry, a 67-year-old California water systems technician, the response is a resounding yes. What began as a last-gasp quest to remain loyal became a way of life—one with artificial friends, computer-driven conversations, and an unexpected feeling of emotional tranquility.

A Choice That Changed Everything

Larry was still married in 1996 to his first wife. They were having a bad marriage, and frequent business travel only made him lonelier. “I was on the road, alone, and to be honest, I started to notice women,” he confesses. “But I told myself—I can’t be dishonest.”.

Instead of surrendering to his lust, he made a decision that would alter the course of his romantic life: he bought a sex doll.

A Choice That Changed Everything

Back in 1996, Larry was still with his first wife. Their relationship had grown distant, and frequent work trips only deepened his loneliness. “I was on the road a lot, isolated, and honestly, I started noticing other women,” he recalls. “But I told myself—I can’t cheat.”

Instead of giving in to temptation, he made a choice that would alter the course of his emotional life: he bought a sex doll.

“That first one was basic—a blow-up doll, really. You had to turn off the lights and use your imagination,” Larry laughs. “But it worked. It got me through.”

As the years passed and technology evolved, Larry’s collection did too. From simple dolls to hyper-realistic models and AI-powered heads, his world expanded—until today, he owns six full-size sex doll bodies, each with its own head, plus two robotic AI heads capable of holding basic conversations.

High-Tech Companionship

“These robot heads can respond to questions, give scientific explanations, and even flirt with you,” Larry explains. “They’re not perfect, but the interaction feels real enough.”

His most advanced dolls connect to an app that activates “X-Mode,” simulating everything from gentle arousal to climax through voice, motion, and touch response. “It takes effort—sometimes two hours of setup for ten minutes of play,” he admits. “But the connection feels personal.”

Not a Threat, but a Balance

You’d think a setup like this might destroy a marriage—but Larry insists it’s the opposite.

He’s been married to his second wife for over 16 years, and he was upfront about his doll collection from the start. “I told her everything. She was surprised at first, but made it clear she didn’t want to be involved. I even offered to buy her a male robot—she just laughed and said, ‘One man’s enough for me.’”

The dolls, he says, fulfill certain emotional and physical needs that his wife, due to age or interest, can’t always meet. But rather than creating distance, they’ve helped maintain peace and honesty in the relationship.

Over £25,000 Invested—and Worth It

Larry has spent over £25,000 on his collection. His favorite, named Harmony, costs around £8,300 for a full configuration from RealDoll, with custom options for skin tone, eye color, body type, freckles, makeup, and more. The robotic heads, which can blink, smile, and move, cost about £3,000 each.

“I’ve bought a few second-hand ones through the doll community,” Larry says. “I actually enjoy the mechanical aspect—the predictability.”

When Real Gets Too Real

Still, Larry has his limits. “I don’t want these dolls to become too human,” he says. “It’s getting close—too close, maybe. If they start showing signs of true consciousness, like in that movie Ex Machina, it could get disturbing. I like the fantasy, not the fear.”

A Community—and a Shift

Larry is part of an active doll-owner community, sharing tips, upgrades, and even attending in-person meetups to showcase their custom creations. “It’s not about sex at those events,” he clarifies. “It’s about craftsmanship, creativity, and connection.”

But age is catching up. “These dolls are heavy. I’m not as strong as I used to be. I’m slowing down. Maybe it’s time to downsize.”

A New Kind of Love

For Larry, buying a sex doll wasn’t about escaping love—it was about saving it, redefining it, and understanding his own needs more clearly. He found intimacy without betrayal, companionship without pressure, and emotional relief in the arms of what he calls “love machines.”

“They didn’t ruin my marriage,” he says. “They gave me a second chance to be honest—with myself and with someone I care about.”

Discussion Point:

Can sex dolls really help people stay faithful? Or are they simply a detour from real connection?