Meet the centenarian former senator who shares a simple secret to his 78-year marriage

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 18:41 EST, 27 January 2012

The Beatles famously sang about it, and it’s the secret to Wilbur Faiss’ remarkably long-lasting marriage.

The key, of course, is love.

Every day, the 100-year-old husband tells his wife Theresa, 96 that he loves her. He also recommends another tip: ‘Ask her how she feels and “Is there anything I can do for you?”’

So in love: Wilbur and Theresa have been married for 78 years. The key, Wilbur says, is love

So in love: Wilbur and Theresa have been married for 78 years. The key, Wilbur says, is love

The New Mexico couple won this year’s Worldwide Marriage Encounter for the longest-married couple. 

According to program director Dick Baumback, the three older couples who have been married for a longer time period were honoured in years past.

Theresa suffers from what Wilbur calls ‘old people’s illness,’ but the former Nevada state senator does a daily crossword puzzle to keep sharp.

From another era: The couple married in 1933 and had two sons, Don and Bob

From another era: The couple married in 1933 and had two sons, Don and Bob

The couple have two adult sons – Bob and Don. Both help out their ageing parents as much as possible.

Bob, a lawyer, keeps their finances in order, while Don lends a hand with cooking, shopping, and cleaning.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal says that Wilbur is particularly delighted that they received the award in Las Vegas, which has a sticky reputation for marriages that evaporate as quickly as dewdrops in sunlight.

He told the paper that marriages can fail, no matter the location of them. ‘I don’t think there is any better neighbourhood in the country,’ he said proudly.

The couple met at a roller rink outside of St. Louis, Missouri. ‘I was a hot shot on skates and she was by far the most beautiful girl in the audience,’ he remembered.

He showed off for her and then skated over to ask her out. She said yes, and a year later, in 1933, the couple was married.

Since it was in the throes of the Great Depression, the newlyweds moved back in with her parents and Wilbur worked at a shoe factory for $25 a week.

He said: ‘That was extra good since almost half of the people didn’t’ have a job.’

Theresa
Wilbur

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Support system: A loving family has also contributed to the couple's longevity, a family friend says

Support system: A loving family has also contributed to the couple's longevity, a family friend says. Here, Theresa is pictured with her son

The couple had more lean times throughout the years, but managed to come out on top. Family friend Cookie Bible tells the paper that their longevity is due in part because of their love.

‘Will truly loves Theresa. You can see it in his eyes,’ she said.

Wilbur offered the Journal several other tips to a long and healthy life. Among them: apologise, don’t smoke or drink, remember birthdays and anniversaries, and surprise her with gifts.

He left them with one crucial piece of advice. Just don’t ‘overdo anything.’

Another couple who were married for 73 years passed away earlier this week. Presley Bradshaw would visit his wife every day in the nursing home, despite her dementia and inability to recognise him.

He eventually moved into her room, where the two died within hours of each other.