List of long marriages
This is a list of long marriages. It includes only marriages extending over at least 80 years.
Background
A study by Robert and Jeanette Lauer, reported in the Journal of Family Issues, conducted on 40 sets of spouses married for at least 50 years, concluded that the long-term married couples received high scores on the Lock-Wallace marital satisfaction test and were closely aligned on how their marriages were doing. In a 1979 study on about 55 couples in marriages with an average length of 55.5 years, couples said their marriages lasted so long because of mutual devotion and special regard for each other. Couples who have been married for a long time have a lower likelihood of divorcing because "common economic interests and friendship networks increase over time" and enduring stress can assist in sustaining the relationship.Another study found that people in long marriages are wedded to the idea of "marital permanency" in which "They don't see divorce as an option". Sociologist Pepper Schwartz, the American Association of Retired Persons's relationships authority, said that it was helpful to have a spouse who is quick to recover when there are surprises in life.
A study of 1,152 couples who had been married for over 50 years found that they attributed their long marriages to faith in each other, love, ability to make concessions, admiration for each other, reliance on each other, children, and strong communication. Bowling Green State University 's National Center for Family and Marriage Research found that 7% of American marriages last at least 50 years.
Recording longest marriages
The longest marriage recorded is a granite wedding anniversary between Karam and Kartari Chand, who both lived in the United Kingdom, but were married in India. The couple married in 1925, and died in 2016 and 2019, respectively.Guinness World Records published its first edition in 1955. In the 1984 to 1998 editions, the longest recorded marriages were between Sir Temulji Bhicaji and Lady Nariman, and Lazarus and Mary Molly Rowe. According to the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, both of them are stated as spanning 86 years. Guinness has since recognized couples with longer marriage spans, with the current world record holders being David and Sarah Hiller. It also keeps record of the oldest married couple by aggregate age.
Other organizations have created events where they honor couples with long marriages. In 2011, World Marriage Encounter, an American organization that was responsible for making a World Marriage Day, created a Longest Married Couple Project, where they pick a couple with a long marriage and honor them on Valentine's Day. They have since expanded the awards to representatives in each of the 50 states, although the candidates selected are not necessarily the ones with record-setting marriages. Starting in 2004, the Louisiana Family Forum has honored its annual list of long-time married couples in that particular state, beginning with George and Germaine Briant.
List of marriages reported of 80 years or more
| Names | Marriage date | Length of marriage | End date | Residence | Notes | Refs |
| Karam Chand Kartari Chand | 11 December 1925 | 27 September 2016 | Bradford, United Kingdom | |||
| David Jacob Hiller Sarah Hiller | 23 April 1809 | 8 April 1898 | Michigan, United States | Recognized by Guinness World Records as longest marriage ever as of 2024 | ||
| K. Philipose Thomas Sosamma Thomas | 17 February 1918 | 19 February 2006 | Kerala, India | |||
| Herbert Fisher Sr. Zelmyra Fisher | 13 May 1924 | 27 February 2011 | North Carolina, United States | Was previously recognized by Guinness World Records as longest marriage ever | ||
| Sir Temulji Bhicaji Nariman Lady Nariman | 1 August 1940 | Maharashtra, India | Temulji and Lady Nariman married as cousins when they were five years old. This was noted as the longest marriage recorded through 1940. Shared Guinness World Record with Lazarus and Mary Molly Rowe for editions up to 1998. | |||
| Liu Yung-Yang Liu Yang Yang-Wan | 10 March 1917 | 21 July 2003 | Taoyuan, Taiwan | Was recognized by Guinness World Records 2004 as world's longest marriage | ||
| Ralph Kohler Dorothy Kohler | 16 September 1935 | 2 December 2021 | California, United States | Recognized as America's longest lived married couple in 2020 and 2021 | ||
| John George Betar Sr. Ann Betar | 25 November 1932 | 12 September 2018 | Connecticut, United States | Winner of the "Worldwide Marriage Encounter's Longest Married Couple Project" in 2013 | ||
| Duranord Veillard Jeanne Hermina Veillard | 29 November 1932 | 1 June 2018 | New York, United States | |||
| Lazarus Rowe Mary Molly Rowe | 27 June 1829 | Maine, United States | Shared Guinness World Record with Sir and Lady Nariman for editions up to 1998 | |||
| Oliver Jackson Glenn Cora Lee Glenn | 6 November 1904 | 24 December 1989 | Alabama, United States | Previously recognized as the "Longest-married American couple" in 1989 | ||
| Tadanosuke Hashimoto Hanae Hashimoto | 1911 | Hyogo, Japan | ||||
| Manoel Angelim Dino Maria Almeida Dino | 20 November 1940 | 20 October 2025 | Boa Viagem, Brazil | Recognized by Guinness World Records as the then longest incumbent marriage in February 2025. Longest validated marriage in Brazil ever. | ||
| Mario Calì Antonina Calì | 19 November 1931 | 12 October 2016 | Sicily, Italy | Recognized as the "longest marriage in Europe" in 2015 | ||
| William Fullingim Nancy Fullingim | 11 August 1879 | 26 April 1964 | Oklahoma, United States | |||
| Cleovis Whiteside Sr. Arwilda Whiteside | 24 July 1939 | 23 March 2024 | Arkansas, United States | Recognized as the longest marriage in the state | ||
| José Francisco dos Santos Otacília Gomes dos Santos | 1 February 1929 | 20 September 2013 | Poço das Trincheiras, Brazil | Possibly the last marriage of the 1920s in which both parties were still alive. Also previously recognized as the longest known marriage in Brazil. | ||
| Marco Milo Pasqua Milo | 15 January 1938 | 17 May 2022 | Bari, Italy | |||
| Francisco Garcia Paulina Garcia | 26 May 1926 | 26 August 2010 | Texas, United States | Recognized as "Texas's oldest married couple" in 2008 | ||
| João Manoel Gonçalves Serafina Gonçalves | 2 May 1934 | 2018 | Torres, Brazil | |||
| Louis Herman Marine Grace Marie Marine | 15 January 1942 | California, United States | ||||
| William J. "Bill" Jones Eluned Jones | 3 February 1923 | 28 January 2007 | Pontypridd, United Kingdom | Longest marriage ever in the United Kingdom and previously recognized as the "World's longest marriage" in 2006 | ||
| Maurice Kaye Helen Kaye | 27 August 1934 | 23 July 2018 | Bournemouth, United Kingdom | |||
| Daniel W. Williams Willie Williams | 17 August 1937 | 1 July 2021 | North Carolina, United States | |||
| Thell E. Ellison Margie Lea Ellison | 24 June 1941 | 23 April 2025 | Arkansas, United States | |||
| Henry Andrew Johnson Lena Johnson | 8 February 1920 | 27 September 2003 | Iowa, United States | |||
| Lyle Gittens Eleanor Gittens | 4 June 1942 | Florida, United States | Recognized by Guinness World Records as the then longest incumbent marriage in November 2025. | |||
| William B. Ritchie Claudia Lillian Ritchie | 12 April 1919 | 22 November 2002 | Kentucky, United States | Previously recognized as the "World's oldest married couple" in 2002 | ||
| Norman James Burmah Norma "Mickey" Burmah | 27 January 1931 | 6 September 2014 | Louisiana, United States | Recognized by the Louisiana Family Forum in 2013 and 2014. Also recognized as the longest marriage in the state. | ||
| Marshall N. Kuykendall Winifred Louisiana "Winnie Louise" Kuykendall | 14 February 1929 | 22 September 2012 | New Mexico, United States | Winner of the Worldwide Marriage Encounter's inaugural Longest Married Couple Project in 2011 | ||
| Harold Levine Sylvia Levine | 2 November 1941 | 31 May 2025 | Florida, United States | |||
| George Leon Briant Germaine Briant | 20 July 1921 | 28 January 2005 | Louisiana, United States | Honored by Congressman David Vitter in the Louisiana Family Forum's inaugural Louisiana's longest married couple contest in 2004. George, a World War I veteran, was interviewed by Richard Rubin in the same year. | ||
| Steven "Steve" Wrubel Victoria Virginia "Vicky" Wrubel | 28 August 1929 | 8 April 2013 | Florida, United States | Were recognized by Guinness World Records in 2011, but did not clinch the record | ||
| Evert Stolpe Anni Stolpe | 24 March 1941 | 16 September 2024 | Ostrobothnia, Finland | |||
| Harley Dewey Utz Sylvia Utz | 15 June 1918 | 12 November 2001 | Ohio, United States | Recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living married couple in 2001. Sylvia survived her husband by almost 8 years, eventually becoming a supercentenarian. | ||
| Marcel Brouard Berthe Brouard | 26 November 1938 | 6 April 2022 | Saint-Éliph, France | Recognized as the longest marriage in the history of France | ||
| Harold Clyde Park Josephine "Jo" Park | 19 December 1941 | 23 April 2025 | Texas, United States | |||
| George Cuthbert Clarence Vail Mayme Lillie Vail | 17 February 1925 | 14 June 2008 | Minnesota, United States | Previously recognized as the "Longest married couple in the United States" | ||
| René Debove Denise Debove | 4 October 1941 | 11 January 2025 | Clermont-l'Hérault, France | |||
| Elton Denner Betty Denner | 18 October 1942 | Oregon, United States | ||||
| Orlando Simas Ephigenia Xavier Simas | 28 October 1942 | Petrópolis, Brazil | ||||
| Allan McDowell Dorothy McDowell | 26 September 1941 | 18 December 2024 | United Kingdom | |||
| Ira B. Milan Margery Mary Milan | 17 January 1942 | 9 April 2025 | Louisiana, United States | Recognized by the Louisiana Family Forum in 2023, 2024 and 2025 | ||
| Albert Squilla Anna Squilla | 7 November 1942 | Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Charles Henry Feuton Humbles Joyce Irene Humbles | 23 November 1940 | 15 January 2024 | Hertfordshire, United Kingdom | Previously recognised as the oldest lived married couple in the United Kingdom | ||
| Eduard Gerardus Sophia "Ward" Cuyvers Maria Angelina/e Cuyvers | 30 January 1943 | Houthalen-Helchteren, Belgium | Recognized as the longest marriage in the history of Belgium, also its first ever marriage of at least 80 years. He was inducted in the Order of Leopold. | |||
| Thommen Thomas Aley Thomas | 13 February 1932 | 30 January 2015 | Thodupuzha, India | |||
| Cal Elmer Dunmire Mina Lena Dunmire | 24 April 1906 | 18 March 1989 | Pennsylvania, United States | Nominated as "Nation's longest married couple" | ||
| Raimundo Barros Ferreira Nair Ferreira | 1 July 1939 | 18 May 2022 | Fortaleza, Brazil | |||
| Ignacy Stasiak Stefania Stasiak | 1 February 1931 | 30 November 2013 | Aleksandrów Łódzki, Poland | Recognized as the "Longest marriage in Poland" | ||
| Arend Noordhuis Aaltje Noordhuis | 22 January 1938 | 15 November 2020 | Ruinen, Netherlands | Recognized as the longest marriage in the history of the Netherlands | ||
| René Saulet Lucienne Saulet | 22 May 1943 | Thouarcé, France | ||||
| Christopher James "Mick" Girlow Edith Florence Girlow | 15 November 1940 | 2 May 2023 | Hampshire, United Kingdom | |||
| Isalino Miranda Costa Elvira Costa | 31 January 1932 | 31 May 2014 | Taiobeiras, Brazil | |||
| Robert W. "Bob" Schaum Edith Mae Schaum | 26 December 1942 | 18 April 2025 | Pennsylvania, United States | |||
| Eric Frank Kingston Annie Sarah "Nancy" Kingston | 1 June 1940 | 12 August 2022 | Blackford, United Kingdom | |||
| David P. Beachy Katherine Beachy | 23 December 1939 | 20 February 2022 | Florida, United States | |||
| Alberto José Leite Francisca Leite | 20 January 1938 | 2 March 2020 | Ibirama, Brazil | |||
| William Aaron Bruce Georgette Nadine Bruce | 19 June 1943 | 14 July 2025 | Indiana, United States | |||
| Lauris Broussard Earline Marie Broussard | 25 January 1941 | 9 February 2023 | Louisiana, United States | Recognized by the Louisiana Family Forum in 2022 and 2023 | ||
| Raymond Johnson Mary Johnson | 11 January 1944 | Florida, United States | ||||
| Edgar Eugene "Gene" Bond Irene Bond | 15 August 1942 | 19 August 2024 | Oklahoma, United States | |||
| José "Major" Amâncio de Almeida Anna Amâncio | 17 July 1939 | Belo Horizonte, Brazil | ||||
| George Dennis Louise Dennis | 4 February 1944 | Alabama, United States | Recognized as the longest marriage in the state | |||
| Ronald "Ron" Bond Joyce E. Bond | 4 January 1941 | 20 December 2022 | Milton Keynes, United Kingdom | |||
| Francisco Fernandes Alencar Sebastiana Coelho Alencar | October 1936 | 11 September 2018 | Federal District, Brazil | |||
| Olegário Batista de Queiroz Rita de Queiroz | 20 December 1937 | 24 November 2019 | São Francisco de Sales, Brazil | Previously recognized as the longest marriage in Brazil in 2018 and 2019 | ||
| Mota Eli Young Avanelle Young | 14 April 1936 | 22 February 2018 | Kentucky, United States | He was a World War II veteran | ||
| Cecil Belvedire "Cy" Souders Jean Souders | 18 November 1939 | 30 August 2021 | Ohio, United States | He was a retired National Football League player who played three seasons for the Detroit Lions in the 1940s and also the oldest living ex-NFL player | ||
| Gail Richardson Marjorie Rita "Patsy" Richardson | 1 September 1940 | 13 June 2022 | Louisiana, United States | Recognized by the Louisiana Family Forum in 2020, 2021 and 2022. He was a World War II veteran. | ||
| Isaías "Zai" Fernandes Farias Elília "Lila" Farias | 9 September 1938 | 24 May 2020 | Brotas de Macaúbas, Brazil | |||
| Gottfried Schmelzer Ursula Schmelzer | 17 May 1944 | Bad Sobernheim, Germany | ||||
| Jean Couret Christiane Couret | 27 May 1944 | Saint-Julien-Chapteuil, France | ||||
| Masao Matsumoto Miyako Matsumoto | 20 October 1937 | 17 May 2019 | Kagawa, Japan | Was recognized by Guinness World Record as "Oldest living married couple, aggregate age" in August 2018, and as "Oldest married couple, aggregate age" on 17 May 2019 | ||
| Charles Abraham "Charlie" Muise Anne Celina "Annie" Muise | 13 July 1942 | 23 January 2024 | Nova Scotia, Canada | |||
| Roy Walter Dorothy Walter | 27 July 1942 | 4 February 2024 | Wingham, United Kingdom | Marriage date recognized in 2017 article about their 75th wedding anniversary | ||
| Reginald Louis Arthur "Jimmy/Reg" Woolgar Doris Woolgar | 30 August 1942 | 8 March 2024 | Brighton, United Kingdom | |||
| Vern Howard Stinebaugh Angela Mae Stinebaugh | 19 August 1942 | 16 February 2024 | Pennsylvania, United States | Previously recognized as the longest marriage in the state | ||
| Wallace P. Menard Gladys Menard | 17 September 1938 | 12 March 2020 | Louisiana, United States | Recognized by the Louisiana Family Forum in 2018 and 2019 | ||
| Arnold Ritson Bell Kathleen "Kathy" Bell | 16 November 1943 | 8 May 2025 | Prudhoe, United Kingdom | |||
| Alton B. Daniels Opal Daniels | 12 August 1944 | Texas, United States | He is a World War II veteran | |||
| Isaac Benjamin Williams Ima Jewel Williams | 4 September 1937 | 10 February 2019 | Arkansas, United States | Recognized by "The Family Council", a Christian society, in 2018 | ||
| James Garfield Stephenson Sr. Gussie Mae Stephenson | 25 December 1939 | 9 April 2021 | Arkansas, United States | |||
| Irving Black Dorothy Black | 11 November 1940 | 11 February 2022 | New York, United States | |||
| Chester A. "Chet" Pish Martha M. Pish | 23 May 1942 | 20 August 2023 | Pennsylvania, United States | Previously recognized as the longest marriage in the state | ||
| Vernon H. Mize Ruth Ann Mize | 15 November 1944 | Kentucky, United States | ||||
| Adolph Velasquez Lucia "Lucy" Velasquez | 17 July 1942 | 19 September 2023 | Missouri, United States | |||
| Roy Ward Freda Ward | 1 July 1943 | August 2024 | Bilton, United Kingdom | |||
| Robert "Bob" Cochran Ann Cochran | 30 December 1944 | South Carolina, United States | ||||
| Warren Clinton Snell Arline Snell | 25 February 1940 | 17 March 2021 | Iowa, United States | |||
| André Léon Alphonse Debry Marguerite Céline Debry | 12 August 1924 | 31 August 2005 | Sète, France | He was one of the last surviving World War I veterans in France and was appointed to the Légion d'Honneur. | ||
| Daniel Frederick Bakeman Susan Bakeman | 29 August 1782 | 10 September 1863 | New York, United States | He is purported to be the last surviving soldier from the Revolutionary War to receive a pension | ||
| Leroy Kayser Julia Kayser | 8 January 1944 | 19 January 2025 | New York, United States | |||
| Roger Lee Kunkle Beverly B. Kunkle | 6 August 1943 | 16 August 2024 | Ohio, United States | |||
| Manoel Vargas Saturnina Vargas | 27 August 1930 | São João do Sul, Brazil | ||||
| Michael Nikolaus Katharina Nikolaus | 26 December 1924 | 19 December 2005 | Siegen, Germany | |||
| Ronald "Ron" Golightly Beryl Golightly | 8 January 1941 | 23 December 2021 | Harrogate, United Kingdom | |||
| Loyd Monroe Collins Evelyn Eunice Collins | 11 August 1934 | 10 July 2015 | Louisiana, United States | Recognized by the Louisiana Family Forum in 2012 | ||
| João Raichaski Maria Raichaski | 17 September 1944 | 2 August 2025 | Içara, Brazil | |||
| Joseph Migné Yolande Migné | 10 January 1944 | 20 November 2024 | La Garnache, France | |||
| William Henry Wilcher Juanita Wilcher | 12 May 1941 | 20 March 2022 | Virginia, United States | |||
| Orvel Sherrill Virginia Lee Sherrill | 3 July 1942 | 5 May 2023 | Oklahoma, United States | Recognized by the Wordwide Marriage Encounter in 2022 | ||
| John Paul Henderson Charlotte Henderson | 22 December 1939 | 16 October 2020 | Texas, United States | Recognized by Guinness World Records in 2019 as the oldest living married couple by aggregate age and oldest married couple by aggregate age. | ||
| William Henry Olive Vacle P. Olive | 25 January 1941 | 16 November 2021 | Arkansas, United States | |||
| Carlos Machado de Moraes Julietta de Moraes | 29 August 1915 | 18 June 1996 | Bom Jesus do Itabapoana, Brazil | Recognized as the first known Brazilian marriage of at least 80 years | ||
| Laura Mays Billie Mays | 13 April 1945 | Texas, United States | ||||
| David Meixner Gretchen Emma Meixner | 18 January 1942 | 27 October 2022 | Florida, United States | |||
| Ralph Francis Lumb Phyllis Mae Lumb | 11 February 1941 | 21 October 2021 | New York, United States | |||
| Donald Louis Mergler Margaret Anne Mergler | 4 September 1926 | 25 April 2007 | Maryland, United States | |||
| John McCarty Oneta McCarty | 2 June 1945 | Iowa, United States | ||||
| Francis Joseph "Frank" Murray Delma Joyce "Del" Murray | 16 June 1945 | Newcastle, Australia | He is the last surviving member of the 6th Machine Gun Battalion | |||
| Floyd Cletus Hall Betty June Hall | 22 July 1939 | 19 February 2020 | Arkansas, United States | |||
| Donald Niles Hart Sr. Vivian Cornelia Hart | 25 June 1937 | 17 January 2018 | Michigan, United States | |||
| Timmie Laron Waters Violet Waters | 22 March 1941 | 9 October 2021 | Louisiana, United States | Recognized by the Louisiana Family Forum in 2021 | ||
| Jacob Miller Edith Miller | 2 July 1945 | Missouri, United States | ||||
| Ronald Gilbert "Ron" Collings Esther Elizabeth Collings | 19 October 1938 | 24 April 2019 | Adelaide, Australia | |||
| Willie Chambers Geraldine Chambers | 28 January 1943 | 27 July 2023 | Maryland, United States | |||
| Allen John Frandsen Evelyn Frandsen | 30 March 1942 | 5 September 2022 | Utah, United States | Recognized by the Utah governor's office in 2022 as the then-longest marriage in the state | ||
| Ray Williams Ellie Williams | 15 August 1945 | Georgia, United States | They were married on VJ Day | |||
| Michael Robert Vincel Jr. Mildred F. Vincel | 10 September 1944 | 11 February 2025 | Virginia, United States | |||
| Albino Augusto Leonilda Augusto | 28 July 1944 | 22 December 2024 | Campo Largo, Brazil | |||
| Jerry Long Betty Long | 31 August 1945 | California, United States | ||||
| Joffre Cecil "Jeff" Laurent Dawn Laurent | 3 March 1945 | 21 July 2025 | Hawke's Bay, New Zealand | |||
| Leo Dormaier Vivian Marie Dormaier | 25 February 1944 | 26 June 2024 | Washington, United States | Recognized as the longest marriage in the state | ||
| Jón Albert Magnússon Rita Rona Magnússon | 14 July 1940 | 19 October 2020 | Hvidovre, Denmark | |||
| Nicolaas Christiaan "Nico" Cornelisse Anna Cornelisse | 16 September 1942 | 23 November 2022 | Bellingwolde, Netherlands | |||
| Robert Samuel Cornish Leora Marie Cornish | 10 March 1937 | 12 May 2017 | Wisconsin, United States | |||
| Joseph Marshall Huckaby Jr. Irene Ruby Huckaby | 23 December 1944 | 24 February 2025 | Tennessee, United States | |||
| Henry Willis Hoell Sr. Rosa Hoell | 28 April 1941 | 16 June 2021 | North Carolina, United States | |||
| Jack Bare Joan Bare | 3 August 1939 | 10 September 2019 | Codsall, United Kingdom | Previously recognized as Britain's "longest married couple" | ||
| Alan Williams Joan Williams | 20 January 1945 | 22 February 2025 | Hervey Bay, Australia | They both served in the Australian Army in World War II | ||
| Benjamin Franklin "Ben" Hartley Drusilla Orlena Hartley | 24 November 1875 | 26 December 1955 | Idaho, United States | Recognized as "Nation's Longest Marriage" ever for several years | ||
| Warren Leslie MacQuarrie Clara Wilma MacQuarrie | 15 September 1942 | 16 October 2022 | California, United States | |||
| Andrew Paul "Andy" Kowalczyk Bertha "Bunny" Kowalczyk | 1 January 1944 | 31 January 2024 | Missouri, United States | He was a World War II United States Navy veteran and electrical engineer | ||
| Percy George Arrowsmith Florence Mary "Flo" Arrowsmith | 1 June 1925 | 15 June 2005 | Hereford, United Kingdom | Previously recognized as Britain's "longest married couple" | ||
| Peter Mascolo Anna Mascolo | 23 April 1928 | 2 May 2008 | Connecticut, United States | They were the parents of actor Joseph Mascolo | ||
| Pierre Jean Louis Germain Soulages Colette Marcelle Léonie Soulages | 24 October 1942 | 25 October 2022 | Sète, France | He was an artist whose abstract works are in many modern art museums |