Percy and Florence Arrowsmith Marriage Profile

Guinness World Records announced on June 1, 2005, that Percy and Florence Arrowsmith had the world's longest marriage. In addition, their combined ages broke a record for a married couple.

Born:

Percy Arrowsmith: Born on March 13, 1900.

Florence Arrowsmith: Born on October 31, 1904.

Died:

Percy: Percy died on June 15, 2005, just two weeks after celebrating 80 years of marriage with his wife Florence, Percy Arrowsmith died peacefully at his home at the age of 105. Florence was by his side.

Florence: Florence died on April 9, 2007.

Percy and Florence met in 1922 at their local church in Hereford, England. Florence was a Sunday school teacher and Percy was singing in the choir.

After courting one another for three years, Percy and Florence were married on June 1, 1925 in Hereford, England, at the church where they met.

They remember that their wedding day was cold and they had classical music at their wedding.

Florence, 100 years old; and Percy, 105 years old.

Although the traditional gifts for an 80th anniversary are diamonds and pearls, most couples at such an advanced age prefer to not receive gifts.

Percy and Florence had three children, six grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

They resided in their own home in Hereford, England. They lived there on Breinton Road for 78 years.

Guiness Record Controversy:

A couple in France, Andre Debry and Marguerite Pingaud were reportedly married on August 12, 1924. Another couple, E.R. and Bessie Pennebaker were married on June 14, 1924.

Guiness World Records.com lists Thomas and Elizabeth Morgan of the UK as the Oldest Married Couple, Aggregate Age. The Morgans were married in 1809.

Florence on the importance of saying sorry: "If you've had a quarrel, you make it up - never be afraid to say sorry."
Source: BBC News

Florence: "It is all about hard work. We have had our arguments but we work through them together. We always go to bed as friends and always make up before we go to sleep with a kiss and a cuddle."
Source: Telegraph.co.uk

Florence: "I think we're very blessed. We still love one another, that's the most important part."
Source: CBC.

Percy on the secret to marital success: "Saying Yes, dear."
Source: CBC.

Florence: "I like sherry at lunch time and whisky at night and I'm looking forward very much to my party."
Source: CBC.