In the quiet countryside of Boa Viagem, Ceará, Brazil, Manoel Angelim Dino and Maria de Sousa Dino sit side by side, as they have for decades. At 105 and 101 years old, they are more than just a loving couple—they are history-makers. According to LongeviQuest, a global authority on maximum human longevity, the Dinos now hold the record for the longest-living marriage in history, having been together for an astounding 84 years since their wedding on November 20, 1940.
Manoel was born on July 17, 1919, and Maria on April 23, 1923, in Boa Viagem, Ceará, Brazil. Their story began in the most unassuming of ways—through hard work and perseverance, long before they could have imagined they would one day hold a world record for their love.
The Beginning of a Lifelong Partnership
Their love story began simply—through hard work. According to LongeviQuest, the couple first met in the 1930s while working in agriculture to support their families. At the time, nothing came of their first meeting, but fate had other plans.
Years later, their paths crossed again. Manoel saw Maria once more and immediately knew she was the one. He wasted no time expressing his feelings, but Maria, unaware of his romantic intentions, took longer to realize what was unfolding.
Like many great love stories, theirs did not come without challenges. Maria’s mother initially opposed the relationship, hesitant to let her young daughter marry. But Manoel was determined. He won over Maria’s family through his patience, kindness, and hard work—even building a home for the life they were about to start together.
On November 20, 1940, Maria, just 17 years old, and Manoel, 21, stood together and vowed to spend their lives side by side. They kept that promise in ways few others have.
Decades of Love and Sacrifice
After their wedding, the young couple worked tirelessly side by side, cultivating tobacco and caring for their growing family. According to LongeviQuest, they endured many hardships in the rural countryside, relying on each other through life’s trials.
Over the years, their family grew immensely. Together, they raised 13 children, nine of whom are still living today. Their love multiplied through the generations, and their legacy now includes 55 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren.
Despite the hardships, their faith and devotion carried them through. They did not measure their marriage by material wealth but rather by the strength of their bond and the love they built within their family.
A Quiet, Beautiful Life Together
Today, their lives have slowed down, but their love has remained steadfast. Every evening at 6 p.m., they sit together and listen to the rosary prayer on the radio, followed by Mass on television. It is a ritual that speaks to the faith that has anchored their marriage.
As they reflect on their long journey together, Maria offers a simple yet profound truth about their lasting love. According to LongeviQuest, her secret to a long and happy marriage is simple: love.
Manoel, once an energetic farmer and devoted husband, now spends much of his time resting. But when the sun sets, he rises and makes his way to sit beside his wife in the living room, just as he always has. After all these years, he never left her side.
The Legacy of an Unbreakable Bond
Manoel and Maria Dino’s marriage is more than just a remarkable statistic—it is a testament to the power of faith, commitment, and the beauty of enduring love. In a world where marriages often struggle to stand the test of time, their story serves as a rare and invaluable lesson:
True love isn’t found in grand declarations or fleeting moments. It is built in the quiet, everyday acts of devotion, in the unwavering presence of a partner who chooses you every single day, and in the simple joy of sitting side by side, even after eight decades together.
According to LongeviQuest, their 84-year marriage is now a world record. But to Manoel and Maria, it was never about breaking records. It was always about love.
And that love endures.
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