This couple marks 84 years of marriage with over 100 grandkids
In a world where relationships often come and go, some bonds stand as a testament to enduring devotion. One such incredible love story belongs to a Brazilian couple who have not only built a life together but an entire legacy. Married for a record-breaking 84 years, their journey is nothing short of extraordinary, with a family that now spans generations and includes 13 children, 55 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
Manoel Angelim Dino and Maria de Sousa Dino, a couple from Brazil, have officially made history as the longest-married living couple, according to Guinness World Records. As per their official website, the two had a romantic love story.
Credit: Instagram/@longeviquest
Manoel Angelim Dino (b. 1919) and Maria Almeida de Souza (b. 1923) first crossed paths in 1936 while working in agriculture for their families. At the time, Manoel had traveled to the Almeida region in the Boa Viagem district to collect a shipment of rapaduras, a traditional Brazilian candy. It was there that he briefly met Maria, but their interaction was fleeting, and nothing came of it.
Years passed before fate brought them together again in 1940. This time, something was different—Manoel saw Maria in a new light and realized she was the one he wanted to spend his life with. Struck by what felt like love at second sight, he didn’t let the moment slip away. Determined, he confessed his feelings to Maria and asked her out. She said yes!
After little disagreements from the family, the two finally married in 1940 and settled down. They earned their livelihood by rolling tobacco, they faced many problems but managed to work through them.
Credit: Instagram/@longeviquest
Now over 100 years of age, the couple spends their time in peace and quiet. At 105, Manoel spends most of his day resting, but in the evenings, he joins Maria in the living room for their cherished routine. At 6 p.m., they listen to the rosary prayer on the radio, followed by a televised mass.
On being asked about the secret to a long and lasting marriage, Maria and her family have a straightforward answer: love.
While Manoel and Maria hold the record for the longest living marriage, the longest recorded marriage between a man and a woman was that of David Jacob Hiller (born 1789) and Sarah Davy Hiller (born 1792), who remained married for an astonishing 88 years and 349 days until Sarah’s passing in 1898.
