Melissa Todd left Oxford University after studying philosophy, politics and economics for one year, saying that university life had become overwhelming.
The 49-year-old subsequently began working as a stripper before establishing a career as a professional dominatrix under the name Miss Matthews.
Todd discussed her background on the Option One Podcast, presented by Babestation.
She spent approximately 12 years as a stripper and has worked as a dominatrix for around two decades.
Her professional activities include portraying a strict 1950s-style headmistress and carrying out consensual punishment of adult clients with equipment such as canes and paddles.
Her mother later entered the same industry after becoming redundant at the age of 61, several years before reaching state pension age.
Todd had already been using her mother’s home to meet clients when she introduced her mother to the work.
Her unnamed mother continued until her mid-70s and, according to Todd, earned more from the occupation than Todd herself did.
Todd charges about £150 an hour for appointments, which can involve conversation as well as the services clients have booked.
She said a significant number of her clients are older people and that some pensioners save for months to pay for an appointment.
She also claimed that police officers and politicians were among her clients, although the interview did not identify any individuals.
The business has expanded beyond private appointments.
Todd recently appeared on the ITV programme Nobody’s Fool, hosted by Danny Dyer and Emily Atack, and has adapted stories from her career for the stage.
Her stand-up show Gag Writer features her performing as Miss Matthews and recounting experiences from her work.
One of Todd’s clients reportedly travels from California, spends a week acting as her personal butler and accompanies her to restaurants and the theatre.
After nearly two decades in the profession, Todd said aging has benefited her career because she has become more experienced and believes her clients prefer older women.
She considers the work to be a lifelong occupation.