An 104-year-old woman in Ecuador is mourning the loss of her 110-year-old husband, who sadly died earlier this week.
Julio Mora passed away on Thursday, having died in his sleep beside wife of more than 79 years Waldramina Quinteros at their home in Quito.
The pair - who married on 7 February 1941 after dating for seven years - were recently named the world's oldest couple, with a combined age at the time of 214 years and 358 days.
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In a statement they said: "For us, Julio Cesar and Waldramina, it is a great honour and pride to have a Guinness World Records title because it is the highest award that the world recognises.
"It is true that at this time it is difficult because we are overwhelmed by the pandemic that affects the world and we still do not have a solution. However, the first step for us is to follow the rules with respect and love life."
Julio had four surviving children, 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren with Waldramina. They also had another son who died at the age of 58.
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Their daughter Cecilia is reported to have found her father's body when she went into their bedroom to check on them.
Julio was born on 10 March 1910, while Waldramina was born on 16 October 1915.
They met through Waldramina's sister's husband, who was Julio's cousin, but found their relationship difficult at first as their respective families disapproved.
When they finally got married in 1941 in La Iglesia de El Belén, the oldest church built by the Spanish in Quito, their relatives were not present - but that didn't stop them having a long and happy life together.
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Waldramina claimed they never argued or fights, having only disagreed on 'trivial things'.
The couple previously said they believed there is a 'secret formula' to a long and happy marriage, which involves love, maturity and mutual respect.
"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.
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"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."
Julio and Waldramina also argued that the family unit is everything, saying: "Family unity under the rules of love, mutual respect, honest work, and proper education based on family values are the keys to healthy coexistence."
Featured Image Credit: Guinness World RecordsTopics: World News, News