TAKAMATSU, KAGAWA PREF. ¨C 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 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 said.
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 ¡ª 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 the health ministry showing they rank No. 2 on average at around 84, just a smidgen 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.
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