Artwork for podcast The James Brown Commentary
216 Years of Love: What Eleanor and Lyle Can Teach Us
24th December 2025 • The James Brown Commentary • James A. Brown
00:00:00 00:01:00

Share Episode

Shownotes

Meet Eleanor and Lyle Giddens, the adorable duo who hold the Guinness World Record for the oldest married couple, clocking in at a whopping combined age of 216 years! Can you believe that? They tied the knot in 1942, just before Lyle headed off to serve in World War II, proving that love can weather even the toughest storms. When asked about the secret to their long-lasting love, Eleanor simply said, "We love each other," and Lyle chimed in with, "I love my wife." It really is that simple, folks! They also credit their relationship longevity to staying curious, sharing a beer at lunch, and cherishing those little daily rituals. So, what's your secret sauce for love? We’d love to hear your stories, so drop us a voicemail or text at 585-371-8865! Eleanor and Lyle Giddens have captured the hearts of many, becoming the oldest married couple on record with a combined age of 216 years. Imagine that for a second—216 years of love, laughter, and probably a few snarky remarks about who left the cap off the toothpaste! They tied the knot back in 1942, just before Lyle headed off to serve in World War II. It’s almost like a scene from a classic romantic movie, but this is real life. When asked about their secret to a long-lasting relationship, Eleanor simply said, 'We love each other,' and Lyle chimed in with, 'I love my wife.' Talk about sweet simplicity! It’s like they’re saying, 'Why complicate it?' Sometimes the best ingredients for a lasting relationship boil down to love, a little curiosity, and perhaps a shared beer at lunch to keep the spirits light and the conversations flowing. These small, everyday rituals can make all the difference. At the end of the day, you really can’t ask for much more than that! What’s your secret to a happy relationship? Share it with us—we might just feature you on the show!

Takeaways:

  1. Eleanor and Lyle Giddens hold the record for the oldest married couple at 216 years combined.
  2. They tied the knot in 1942, just before Lyle went off to World War II.
  3. Their relationship secret? Eleanor says it's simple: they love each other, which is beautiful!
  4. The couple emphasizes the importance of staying curious and having daily rituals, like sharing a beer.
  5. Small acts of daily attention in relationships can be the key to lasting love, just like Lyle and Eleanor.
  6. Curiosity and connection are foundational in relationships, so what’s your secret sauce to love?

Links referenced in this episode:

  1. jamesabrown.net

Transcripts

Speaker A:

This is the Daily note from jamesabrown.net have you heard about Eleanor and Lyle Giddens?

Speaker A:

The Guinness Book of World Records says they're the oldest married couple ever recorded with a combined age of 216 years.

Speaker A:

They married in:

Speaker A:

When asked their secret, Eleanor said, we love each other.

Speaker A:

And Lyle, he said, I love my wife.

Speaker A:

It's simple.

Speaker A:

They also mention staying curious and sharing a beer at lunch, small rituals and daily attention.

Speaker A:

You can't ask for much more than that.

Speaker A:

What do you think and what's the secret to your relationship?

Speaker A:

-:

Speaker A:

We might have you on the show on that note.

Speaker A:

I'm James A.

Speaker A:

Brown, and as always, be well.

Links

Chapters

Video

More from YouTube