Couple named 'longest married' in U.S. at 80 years
FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) - John and Ann Betar weren't supposed to get married. Her father had arranged for her to wed another man, but she and John fled Bridgeport and eloped in New York.
That was more than 80 years ago. The couple is still happily hitched, a fact that has led to their naming as the "longest married couple" in the U.S. for 2013 by Worldwide Marriage Encounter, a Christian marriage group based in San Bernardino, Calif.
The Betars are scheduled to receive a plaque and other gifts from the group at their granddaughter's home in Fairfield on Saturday.
They told the New York Daily News that there are no secrets to a long marriage, only a few simple rules.
"We just live with contentment and we don't live beyond our means," John Betar said. "Just go with the flow."
John's now 101 years old and Ann is 97, and they're still living in their home along the Fairfield shore. They had five children, 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Two of their children died in their 60s.
Ron and Judy Pekny of Worldwide Marriage Encounter say the title of "longest married couple" is based on nominations the group received, so there may be some couples who have been married longer.
John and Ann grew up across the street from each other in Bridgeport, and John used to drive Ann to high school in his Ford Roadster. They fell in love. When her father arranged for her to marry someone else, they eloped in Harrison, N.Y., about 25 miles north of New York City.
John went on to open a grocery store in Bridgeport.
Ann Betar told the Hearst Connecticut Media Group around their 80th anniversary in November that family has been a key to their longevity.
"That's what makes life what it is," she said. "We were fortunate enough to live long enough to see this ... and it's really one of the most gratifying things in the world to see your great-grandchildren, to see your grandchildren become adults."
John Betar added, "That's what keeps us alive. We live for them."
That was more than 80 years ago. The couple is still happily hitched, a fact that has led to their naming as the "longest married couple" in the U.S. for 2013 by Worldwide Marriage Encounter, a Christian marriage group based in San Bernardino, Calif.
The Betars are scheduled to receive a plaque and other gifts from the group at their granddaughter's home in Fairfield on Saturday.
They told the New York Daily News that there are no secrets to a long marriage, only a few simple rules.
"We just live with contentment and we don't live beyond our means," John Betar said. "Just go with the flow."
John's now 101 years old and Ann is 97, and they're still living in their home along the Fairfield shore. They had five children, 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Two of their children died in their 60s.
Ron and Judy Pekny of Worldwide Marriage Encounter say the title of "longest married couple" is based on nominations the group received, so there may be some couples who have been married longer.
John and Ann grew up across the street from each other in Bridgeport, and John used to drive Ann to high school in his Ford Roadster. They fell in love. When her father arranged for her to marry someone else, they eloped in Harrison, N.Y., about 25 miles north of New York City.
John went on to open a grocery store in Bridgeport.
Ann Betar told the Hearst Connecticut Media Group around their 80th anniversary in November that family has been a key to their longevity.
"That's what makes life what it is," she said. "We were fortunate enough to live long enough to see this ... and it's really one of the most gratifying things in the world to see your great-grandchildren, to see your grandchildren become adults."
John Betar added, "That's what keeps us alive. We live for them."
Yeah but wining the christian title of longest married couple doesn't make them the longest married couple out there. Â It is nice...
20 down and 60 more to go... Hope I live that long...
'bout time we heard some good news about a married couple. Congratulations to them! That is how a real marriage should be; together through thick and thin! <3
Many blessings to you both & congratulations!
I'd say God bless them....but it is obvious He already has. What a wonderful LOVE!!!Â
 @momtodogs So you are saying that as an atheist my marriage is doomed to failure?  Our marriage has been so much better and stronger since removing the chains of religion.
@somegoofyguy -When you celebrate your 80th anniversary, come back and let us all know. mmmkay? Until then your point is invalid.
Â
Wonderful story and what a blessing to read about.
What an awesome story! Nice to see something like this make the news. Goes to show that true love & committment to one another goes a long way. Wishing them many more years of happiness.
Congratulations to them! Â That's a lot of years! Â My in-laws will have been married 80 years this Fall! Â Who do you contact for this kind of thing?
Beautiful couple and story. They should have an old couple pageant instead of stupid Miss Universe. It would be so much more interesting.Â
What a wonderful story. Best wishes to them and their family.
Congratulations!!!  I bet they have a few tips to offer the kids of today about marriage.
@Shelly I'm sure they do- the best one being Don't give up when there are problems, find a way to overcome them, people aren't disposable like paper plates. Thats what I was told by my husbands grandma when he and I got married- at that point his grandparents had been married for more than 50 years. Â
@MomOf2 Thats great advise for anybody getting married. Its a lot of work, but well worth the effort.