Chinese Couple Married for 75 Years Die Less Than a Day Apart

A 92-year-old man and his 93-year-old wife passed away within 15 hours of each other in Hubei Province.
Chinese Couple Married for 75 Years Die Less Than a Day Apart
Screenshot showing the couple’s granddaughter holding a picture of the two of them from the 1980s. (Screenshot/Wuhan Evening Times)
11/4/2013
Updated:
11/5/2013

A 92-year-old man and his 93-year-old wife passed away within 15 hours of each other in Hubei Province.

Han Yongyang met his wife Yang Yinzhi through an arranged marriage. They had six children and 15 grandchildren, 12 of whom they brought up themselves, according to the Wuhan Evening News.
 
Since May, the pair had been living in a nursing home, as their village was being demolished, and they were both unwell.

Despite a neurological disorder that caused slurred speech and confusion, Han cared for Yang after she became unable to leave her bed. She died in the evening on Oct. 30, and he died the next morning, unaware of her death, because concerned relatives withheld the news from him in case it affected his health.

Neighbors interviewed by the newspaper shared high opinions of the couple. A man called Mr. Xiong said they were well-respected, got along with everyone, and would do their best to help others.

When locals found out that Han and Yang had passed away, hundreds of people visited their mourning halls. One of the visitors said: “Both of them were in their 90s and before they died, the four generations lived together. They died of old age. I’d say it’s not exactly a sad thing.”

Their second son, 65-year-old Han Changqi, said that he did not remember ever seeing his parents argue or fight. They also never physically punished or scolded their children, but instead reasoned with them when they misbehaved. “The six of us are good people, thanks to them being our role models,” he added. 

“My grandparents were very loving,” said their granddaughter Han Junying. “They’ve been together for over 70 years. Maybe there was some kind of connection between them. Grandma followed grandpa all her life; now she is following him after life.”

The old couple kept a yellowish photo album with them, and looked content together in all the pictures. “My grandpa always carried this album with him,” Han Junying said. “Everyday he looked at it for a long time, and told us the stories in the pictures.”

Netizens made positive comments about the old couple on their Weibo microblogs. “... A miracle doesn’t happen everyday. It’s hard to be this happy and blessed,” said one Internet user.”

Another remarked: “Growing old together was once normal. However, in this impetuous and promiscuous society, it’s become a rare gem. I wish them the best in heaven.” 

A third said: “The most touching thing in this world is to practice commitment for a lifetime.”

Research by Hsin-Yi Lin.