John and Ann Betar [PHOTO], America's Longest-Married Couple Celebrate 81st Wedding Anniversary [VIDEO]
They've certainly beaten the odds.
John and Ann Betar, a couple from Connecticut will celebrate their 81st wedding anniversary together on Monday, Nov. 25, and were named America's longest married couple by the Worldwide Marriage Encounter in February, according to The Huffington Post.
The pair eloped in Harrison, N.Y. in 1932.
"We had no choice but to elope because my father was set on me marrying a much older man, and I was 17," Ann, 98, said. "John was not the boy next door, but the boy across the street who I loved."
The couple's quickie wedding took their families by complete surprise and caused quite a stir back in the day, the couple recalls now.
"Everyone was hopping mad, and my wife's aunt consoled my father-in-law by telling him not to worry, the marriage won't last," John, 102, said.
The couple have now been together for over eight decades, have had five children (two of whom have since deceased), 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Technically, the Betar's do not have the longest marriage on record. Victoria Wrubel, who was married to her husband Steven for 83 years, died in April.
The Betar's title is also based on nominations, so other couples may be out there who have been married longer.
The couple marvels now over how much they've seen in their years together.
"We have watched the world change together," John said. "The key is to always agree with your wife."
