Couple Married For 81 Years Were Told Their Marriage Wouldn’t Last

Ron and Joyce Bond Got married more than eight decades ago, but it was the couple’s inner-circle that warned them about their marriage, saying it “wouldn’t last.” 

But as of Jan. 4, 2022, they have officially been declared the U.K.’s longest-married couple, as reported by the Mirror.

“We never expected to reach 81 years of marriage,” 100-year-old Joyce said. “We know we are very fortunate to have achieved this amazing goal. It feels excellent! There is no boss in our relationship, we both give and take.”

“Sometimes life is hard but we work through it together,” added Ron, 102. “We look after each other too.”

The previous record-holders were believed to be Yorkshire residents Ron and Beryl Golightly, who celebrated  80 years of marriage before Ron Golightly died at age 101 in December, Complex reported.

Last year’s anniversary of Joyce and Ron received a special letter from Queen Elizabeth, who congratulated them on the milestone: “How wonderful to learn of your eightieth wedding anniversary on 4th January 2021,” the note read. “I do hope you enjoy this marvelous occasion.”

Joyce and Ron reportedly got married at the Newport Pagnell Registry Office when they were just 19 and 21. They had two children—Eileen and Bill—and have since become great-great-grandparents. They celebrated their 81st anniversary at their flat in Milton, Keynes, and BBC Radio 2 gave them a special shout-out.

“My parents are a truly inspiring couple, not only to my brother and I but to their grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren,” their daughter, Eileen, said. “It was said of them at the time of their wedding, it would not last long, how wrong did folks get that? You only have to spend time with them to know they love and care for each other, even after 81 years of being married.”