Nobody really seems to know the secret behind a successful relationship, but a couple in Japan knows what works for them. And they might be worth listening to, because they’ve been married for 80 years.
Masao Matsumoto, 108, and his 100-year-old wife, Miyako, have been declared by Guinness World Records to be the oldest living spouses. They got married in October 1937. They will celebrate 81 years of marriage next month.
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“I am so grateful that it brings me tears,” Miyako told Reuters.
“It’s thanks to my patience, really,” she added, as she posed with Masao in front of a framed Guinness certificate at the nursing home where they live.
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According to Reuters, the couple never actually had a wedding, with Japan heading into war and Masao being sent overseas to help fight. But the two do have a large family, including 25 great grandkids.
“They’ve entered the last chapter of their life. It was a honor (for them) to receive this award. I would love them to continue living a peaceful life,” said the couple’s daughter Hiromi.
Says Guinness:
Miyako was still preparing family meals at the age of 98 while her husband continued to watch sport until earlier this year when his eyesight reached a point which meant he was no longer able to watch his favourite games on TV. Nevertheless, their love for each other has seen them enter the record books.
Japanese rank second in the world (just barely behind Hong Kong) for longevity with an average age of 84.
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The record for oldest married couple ever by aggregate age, according to Guinness, continues to be held by Karl and Gurdren Dolven of Norway, who had a combined age of 210 years, 1 month and 34 days before Gurdrun died in 2004.
