Brazilian Couple, Who Just Broke Record for Longest-Living Marriage in History, Shares Their Simple Secret to a Happy Union

Mar. 15, 2025

Manoel Angelim Dino and Maria de Sousa Dino.Photo:Courtesy of the Dino family

Courtesy of the Dino family

A couple in Brazil has reached an incredible milestone: 84 years of wedded bliss, breaking theGuinness World Recordfor the longest marriage of a living couple.

The couple, from the rural municipality of Boa Viagem in the northeastern state of Ceará, first met around 1936 while working in agriculture alongside their respective families. Manoel had traveled to the Almeida region in Boa Viagem to collect a shipment of rapaduras, a traditional Brazilian candy, when he first crossed paths with Maria.

A photo of Manoel Angelim Dino and Maria de Sousa Dino when they were younger.Courtesy of the Dino family

While nothing came of that initial meeting, the pair were brought together again years later and their decades-long love story began. They married in November 1940 when Manoel was 21 and Maria was 17.

According to LongeviQuest, it was love at first sight for Manoel — but Maria’s mother was opposed to the relationship at the start. Undeterred, a smitten Manoel patiently worked to win over his future-in-laws, even beginning to build a home for the family he hoped to start with Maria.

Manoel Angelim Dino and Maria de Sousa Dino hold hands.Courtesy of the Dino family

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These days, the couple enjoys a quiet life at home together. Due to his age, Manoel spends much of his time resting, according to LongeviQuest, but gets up every evening to join his wife for a special nightly tradition.

Maria de Sousa Dino celebrates turning 101.Manoel Angelim Dino celebrates turning 103.Maria de Sousa Dino celebrates turning 101.PHOTO:Courtesy of the Dino familyManoel Angelim Dino celebrates turning 103.PHOTO:Courtesy of the Dino family

Maria de Sousa Dino celebrates turning 101.Manoel Angelim Dino celebrates turning 103.

Maria de Sousa Dino celebrates turning 101.

Manoel Angelim Dino celebrates turning 103.

Maria de Sousa Dino celebrates turning 101.PHOTO:Courtesy of the Dino familyManoel Angelim Dino celebrates turning 103.PHOTO:Courtesy of the Dino family

Asked what they believe the secret is to their long and happy marriage, Maria — who celebrated her latest birthday with a butterfly-adorned cake — had a simple answer: love.

Thelongest-ever marriage recordedwas that of David Jacob Hiller, born in 1789, and Sarah Davy Hiller, born in 1792. The U.S. couple were wed for 88 years and 349 days until Sarah’s 1898 death at the age of 106.

source: people.com