Couple married for 75 years reveals secret to long, happy life together
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Zip your lip — and keep it zipped.
Knowing when to shut up is the key to a long and happy marriage.
That’s according to a nonagenarian couple from England who reportedly still love each other like newlyweds — an astonishing 75 years after saying “I do.”
Trudy and Alan Thomlinson — 97 and 96, respectively — offered that simple piece of advice when asked about their relationship, which began when the lovebirds first met at a youth social event.
Tying the knot in 1949, they’re still madly in love more than seven decades later, they say, residing together at a senior home they moved into just last year.
“[The secret] is learning when to keep your mouth shut,” Trudy told What’s The Jam.
“You can get fed up at times,” she admitted — but promised that the pair are “happy that we can still be together.”
The Thomlinsons moved to Middleton Lodge Care Home in Derby, owned by Avery Healthcare, which partnered with online care home finder, Lottie, in August of 2024.
They say it means a lot to them that they can still spend their days together, after all this time.
“We’ve built a life together and it’s wonderful to continue that in such a lovely place. Going through this transition together has made it much easier,” Trudy said.
The couple previously shared their story with the BBC.
“We’ve always been together — we wouldn’t think of life without each other,” Trudy said at the time.
Turns out, the Thomlinsons aren’t the only long-haul lovers living at the home.
They’re one of multiple couples occupying what’s known as “companion suites” — designed to keep the duos together while they receive essential care.
“A number of people come into care homes because they have been widowed and it makes it a very difficult transition,” manager Joanne Graves told the BBC.
“The most important thing for our couples is that they are together and to be able to help them do that is a real privilege,” she said.
Middleton residents Peter Wade, 90, and wife Eileen, 89, tied the knot in 1958 — and say they are still enjoying each other.
The twosome met cute at a dance while attending school in Manchester. Their secret to marital harmony is tolerance, they said.
“Accept that people have little foibles, it’s part of marriage. You can’t just walk away,” Peter said.
“[Allow] space for the things that you don’t really pursue, but your partner does,” Eileen added.