Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Abigail O'Leary

Couple, aged 105 and 106, married for 80 years share secret to lifetime of love

The world's oldest married couple, aged 106 and 105, have celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary.

John and Charlotte Henderson have now been officially honoured as the world's oldest living married couple by the Guinness Book of Records.

The assisted care home they both live at, in Austin, Texas, put on a party at the weekend to celebrate the incredible milestone.

To mark their epic journey of marriage, John, 106, picked Charlotte, 105, up in a 1920's Roadster with a bunch of flowers - just as he did on their very first date.

John and Charlotte with their Guinness World Record (Longhorn Village Senior Living)
John and Charlotte pictured in their younger days (Longhorn Village Senior Living)

And according to John, the secret to their long and happy marriage is to "live in moderation and be cordial to your spouse".

Their great-nephew Jason helped get the couple in the record books, and said they had always been "glad to be around each other".

He told KXAN : "They are a wonderful couple, and an example of a very happy couple - glad to be around each other, travel together, and live life.

"They'll tell you stories of the past, but they don't dwell on the past."

The couple's assisted living home threw a party to celebrate their 80 years of marriage (KXAN)
The couple's party at their assisted living home in Austin, Texas (KXAN)

Fellow care home resident Jim Bissett said: "They're just gracious, nice, kind people. They're the salt of the earth."

The coupe met at The University of Texas in 1934 where John was guard for the football team, while Charlotte was training to become a teacher.

They later married in December 1939 during the Great Depression.

Both John and Charlotte are still in good health, and John says he makes sure he exercises every day.

The couple will officially mark their 80 years of wedded bliss on December 22nd while John will celebrate his 107th birthday on Christmas Eve. 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.