Married for 84 years and 77 days as of February 5, Manoel Angelim Dino, 105, and his wife, Maria de Sousa Dino, 101, have set the Guinness World Record for the longest marriage for a living couple.
The Brazilian couple lives in the remote municipality of Boa Viagem in the northeastern state of Ceará. They were working in agriculture with their families when they first met in the 1930s.
RELATED STORIES
When he first met Maria, Manoel had gone to the Almeida area of Boa Viagem to pick up a consignment of rapaduras, a typical Brazilian sweet, according to LongeviQuest. Their first meeting, however, ended in disappointment.
An accidental encounter years later revived their relationship, and Manoel knew that Maria was the one he wanted to live with forever. Although Maria’s mother initially opposed their relationship, it was love at first sight for him.
Manoel was persistent in his efforts to gain Maria’s family’s trust, even beginning construction on a house for their future together.
They were married in November 1940, when Manoel was 21 and Maria was 17.
The two worked in agriculture for a large portion of their lives, growing rolled tobacco to sell and provide for their expanding family.
They welcomed thirteen children over the years, nine of whom are still alive now. Their family grew to include 14 great-great-grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren, and 55 grandchildren.
Manoel and Maria, both centenarians, are still living together in harmony.
Despite spending a lot of time sleeping due to his advanced age, Manoel makes time to join his wife every evening for a treasured tradition. Sitting side by side, they watch a televised mass at 6 p.m. and listen to the rosary prayer on the radio.
When asked about the secret to their long and happy marriage, Maria replied simply but profoundly: “love.”
