Auckland Couple Celebrates 75 Years of Marriage

When Ian Fairgray first held Lorraine's hand in 1945, it was because they were young and in love. Now at ages 97 and 95, they still hold hands for a practical reason: "So we don't fall over," Ian laughs.

The Auckland couple is celebrating 75 years of marriage on February 17, a milestone so rare it's estimated fewer than 1% of married couples worldwide ever reach it. They first met as teenagers at Northcote District High School, spending their early dates at the cinema, the beach, and dancing together.

Their wedding in 1951 at Zion Hill Methodist Church was modest by any measure. Lorraine's dress was handmade, flowers were arranged by friends, and the reception cost just 10 shillings per person for 80 guests. The total wedding cost roughly £40.

For their first year of marriage, they lived in a caravan while their family home was being built. Ian earned six or seven dollars a week, and Lorraine managed their tight budget using a system of labeled tins, putting aside money for the mortgage, groceries, and clothing.

"Lorraine kept about six tins and she looked after our early financial situation very well," Ian recalls. "We had to be careful."

Despite the financial challenges, they believe they married at a better time than today. Ian notes with concern that modern couples face pressures like multiple jobs, food insecurity, and homelessness that didn't exist when they were newlyweds.

Sunny's Take

Over 75 years, Ian and Lorraine raised four children, welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and lived in just three homes. They've spent the past 20 years at Arvida Parklane retirement community in Forrest Hill, where they once organized trips and served on committees before deciding they'd earned the right to slow down.

Their secret to lasting love comes down to one word they both agree on: trust. "We trusted one another from day one," Ian explains. They've always shared a joint bank account and made decisions together.

Ian adds another key ingredient: "You've got to agree to disagree at times. If you're wrong, it's always wise to own up."

As they approach this extraordinary milestone, Ian describes their lasting marriage as much about luck as anything else, but their daily choice to hold hands tells a different story.