Couple Who Just Celebrated Their 83rd Anniversary Share the Key to Their Long Marriage

Lyle and Eleanor Gittens met over 80 years ago and are now considered the oldest living married couple. They just celebrated their 83rd anniversary last summer, and share the keys to their long marriage.

Lyle, 108, and Eleanor, 107, met as students at Clark Atlanta University and married a year later, on June 4, 1942, in Bradenton, Florida.

The First Years of Their Marriage Were During the War

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In 1941, Lyle was drafted into the Army for a year; however, on December 7, 1941, when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, he was no longer going to get out of the military, according to a story of the couple in the Westside Gazette. Lyle was able to get a 3-day pass to get married.

Due to his military service, they were unable to be together every day until 1943, when he was sent to Ohio State University to study electrical engineering. Later on, he was sent to Arizona, and Eleanor moved to New York City and met his family. Lyle was then sent to Italy with the 92nd Infantry Division. Their first son, Lyle, was born in June 1944, after Eleanor became pregnant while they were living in Ohio.

The Couple Has Been Married 83 Years

After the war, they settled in New York City. They then had two daughters, Angela and Ignae, and both got government jobs. They loved working together, too. They now live in Miami, after their daughter moved them there a few years ago.

Lyle and Eleanor have earned the title of the oldest living married couple (aggregate age), the oldest married couple ever (aggregate age), and the longest marriage for a living couple (different sexes) from the Guinness Book of World Records.

They Both Like Each Other

WPLG Local 10’s Caroline Coles was able to interview the happy couple. “We like each other, besides loving each other, we like each other,” Eleanor shares. What an important sentiment. Liking your spouse goes a long way in a happy marriage.

“Something hit me, you don’t want to lose this girl,” Lyle shares about when they first got together. It was clearly a match meant to be.

The Couple Lived Their Lives

The two also discuss how they have simply lived their lives over the years. “We had a lot of fun, and were still having fun,” Lyle shares.

The Gittens are a pretty inspiring couple. Being able to find your person and being married for so many years is quite a blessing. We wish them well in the months and years ahead. 

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“The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’” - Genesis 2:18 

WATCH: Couple Married 83 Shares About Their Long Marriage

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h/t: Guinness World Records

Featured Image Credit: CANVA Photos/davidf

Julie Provost is a GodUpdates staff writer and editor. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, three boys, and little dog Max. She loves to read, go to the movies, and enjoy time with family and friends.