The 110-year-old Ecuadorian man who forms half of the world’s oldest couple passed away, leaving behind his 104-year-old wife of 79 years.
Julio Cesar Mora Tapia died at his home at Quito, Ecuador on the evening of October 22, and left behind a widow, Waldramina ‘Waldrita’ Maclovia Quinteros Reyes.
He and his wife had set a Guinness World Record on August 2019 as the longest married couple, after the two wed on February 7, 1941 and remained married for 79 years.
According to reports, Julio had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and died in the company of his wife.
Julio was born on March 10, 1910 and Waldrita was born on October 16, 1915, and the two had 5 children, 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren.
In an interview conducted by the Guinness World Records earlier this year, the couple shared that they enjoyed going to the cinema together, huge family dinners and gardening.
The two had also been anticipating to reunite with their extended family as soon as the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were lifted.
Julio and Waldrita were teachers in their 20s, and met through family connections, as Waldrita’s sister’s husband was Julio Cesar’s cousin.
During the interview, Waldrita revealed how she was drawn by Julio’s poetry, while the latter was captivated by her beauty and character.
7 years later, the two got married in secret, as some of their family members were against their relationship.
“It was not easy because our relatives did not have a good relationship, but with time and patience, we were able to unite them, and we became an example and the best reference for the younger generations,” the couple shared.
They also shared that the secret to the success of their long marriage was “love, maturity, and mutual respect.”
“Family unity under the rules of love, mutual respect, honest work and proper education based on family values are the keys to healthy coexistence… The love and maturity that we had as a couple from the beginning of the marriage allowed us to know each other and grow emotionally to define our future,” they said.