A Peruvian philosophy student in Chile has taken her virginity off the auction block, after an anonymous benefactor lent her the tuition money she lacked.
'Sandy', 21, told the W radio network that a sympathetic woman has lent her $US2,800.
She has expressed relief at withdrawing her virginity from the Internet auction she had announced this month.
"I would have regretted it for the rest of my life," she told 'Rumpy', host of The Crab Club talk show.
She said a week ago that bidding would open at $US1,000.
However, a woman has since offered to lend her nearly three times that amount, without conditions.
"She understood me more than others and decided to help me because she has a daughter like me," she said.
The student turned down a potential buyer, who offered still more money.
'Sandy' had said she would guarantee her offer with a doctor's certificate stating that her hymen is intact.
She says she has received thousands of e-mail messages from all over the world.
'Sandy' also received many messages from fellow Peruvians who disapproved of her offer.
"I ask for their forgiveness," she said.
She insists she is not a prostitute.
She says rather, giving up her virginity was the only way to pay for her tuition.
