From 1940 to this day: Brazilian couple sets record for longest marriage with 100 plus grandkids

A Brazilian couple, Manoel Angelim Dino, 105, and Maria de Sousa Dino, 101, have officially set a new Guinness World Record for the longest marriage among living couples. Their remarkable journey, which began in 1940, was verified by Guinness World Records and LongeviQuest, an organization that tracks centenarians' lives. As of Valentine's Day 2024, the couple had been married for an astonishing 84 years and 77 days.

Love story spanning eight decades

Manoel, born in 1919, and Maria, born in 1923, first met around 1936 while working in agriculture for their families. Their initial encounter took place in the Almeida region in the Boa Viagem district when Manoel traveled to collect a shipment of rapaduras, a traditional Brazilian sweet. However, it wasn’t until years later that their love story truly began.

A chance meeting around 1940 rekindled their connection, and Manoel, instantly smitten, decided he would not let Maria slip away again. He declared his love and asked her out, to which she happily agreed. Despite initial resistance from Maria’s mother, Manoel won the family's trust and even began constructing a home for their future together.

Building a life together

After receiving the family's blessing, the couple tied the knot in 1940 and built a life of resilience and dedication. They worked tirelessly, cultivating and selling rolled tobacco to support their expanding family. Their union blessed them with 13 children, 55 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

Now both centenarians, their days are filled with tranquility. While Manoel rests during the day due to his age, he joins Maria in the evenings to listen to the rosary prayer on the radio at 6 p.m., followed by a televised mass.

The secret to a lasting marriage

So, what is the key to their enduring marriage? According to Maria and her family, the answer is simple: love. As she puts it, love is the foundation of their lifelong journey—something even the most advanced computer could never quantify.