Ecuadorian Wife Who Was Part Of ‘World’s Oldest Married Couple’ Loses Husband Aged 110
This past August, Ecuadorian couple Julio César Mora and Waldramina Quinteros Quintero, aged 110 and 104 respectively, were named the world’s oldest married couple. The two dated for seven years before getting married on Feb.7 in 1941 and spending the rest of their lives together.
Now, after decades of a happy life together Quintero is starting out a new life on her own after her husband passed away last week.
The couple had a combined age of 214 years and 358 days at the time of Mora’s death.
Mora was born on March 10, 1910. His wife, Quintero, was born on October 16, 1915.
Speaking about their world breaking record, the couple stated that “For us, Julio Cesar and Waldramina, it is a great honor and pride to have a Guinness World Records title because it is the highest award that the world recognizes… It is true that at this time it is difficult because we are overwhelmed by the pandemic that affects the world and we still do not have a solution. However, the first step for us is to follow the rules with respect and love life.”
The two met after being introduced by Quintero’s brother-law who was Mora’s cousin. According to interviews the couple struggled in their relationship initially because their families disapproved. They finally decided to get married at La Iglesia de El Belén without the presence of their relatives. Still, as Quintero recalls they never argued or fought about little more than “trivial things.”
Besides his wife, Mora is survived by four children, 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren. According to reports, the couple were parents to a son who passed away at the age of 58.
According to the couple, there is a ‘secret formula’ to a long and happy marriage: love, maturity, and mutual respect.
“The love and maturity that we had as a couple from the beginning of the marriage allowed us to know each other and grow emotionally to define our future,” the couple said in a statement said. “It was not easy because our relatives did not have a good relationship, but with time and patience we were able to unite them and we became an example and the best reference for the younger generations.”
The couple also upheld the notion that unity is also key. “Family unity under the rules of love, mutual respect, honest work, and proper education based on family values are the keys to healthy coexistence.”