Masao Matsumoto, 108, and his 100-year-old wife, Miyako, have been married since October 1937 and welcome their 25th great-grandchild last month.
TAKAMATSU, Japan, Sept 4 (Reuters) – Japan is known for its abundance of centenarians and can now lay claim to having the world’s oldest living married couple, with a combined age of 208 – a feat the wife credits to her patience during 80 years of marriage.
Masao Matsumoto, 108, and his 100-year-old wife, Miyako, have been confirmed as the oldest living spouses by aggregate age by Guinness World Records, having been married since October 1937.
« I am so glad. It’s thanks to my patience, really, » said Miyako with a laugh, posing with Masao and other family members in front of a framed certificate at the nursing home where they live.
« I am so grateful that it brings me tears, » she told Reuters.
The Matsumotos never managed to have a wedding as Japan was heading into war and Masao was sent overseas as a soldier, but that was no obstacle to having a big family – including a 25th great-grandchild who was born last month.
« 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 daughter Hiromi.
Japanese have among the longest life expectancies in the world, with data from Japan’s health ministry showing they rank No.2 on average at around 84, just a smidgeon behind people from Hong Kong.
The record for oldest married couple ever by aggregate age still belongs to Norwegians Karl and Gurdren Dolven, who had a combined age of 210 years, 1 month and 34 days when Gurdrun died in 2004, according to Guinness World Records.
(Writing by Chris Gallagher; Editing by Nick Macfie)
