Love doesn’t come with an age limit – and retirement communities around the world are proving just that.
Take Carolyn and Harry Mason, for example. Last October, the couple tied the knot at the Atria Holiday Virginian community in Richmond, Virginia. Carolyn, 90, and Harry, 83, found love after loss, sharing their vows in a heartwarming ceremony celebrated by their retirement community.
“When I first moved here, I said, ‘I’ll never want another wife again,’” Harry shared. “But look what God did. He brought us together.”
And they’re not alone.
In Philadelphia, Marjorie Fiterman (102) and Bernie Littman (100) met at a retirement community party and married nine years later. They’re now believed to be one of the oldest living married couples in the world.
The Later-Life Love Story
Romance in retirement may once have seemed unlikely, but today, it’s celebrated. From the Netflix series The Later Daters to upcoming shows like The Golden Bachelor and even the latest Bridget Jones film, popular culture is finally catching up with what many already know: love over 50 is real, meaningful, and often sweeter the second time around.
Statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics back this up. In 1997, one-third of all marriages involved someone who had previously been married, and the median age for remarriage continues to rise. People are finding new love in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond.
What people are saying about love later in life
On forums like Reddit and Quora, people over 50 are sharing their remarriage stories and they’re full of wisdom, humour, and joy:
“Married at 60. Happier than I’ve ever been. Priorities change as you get older – you’ve learned your lessons and left the stress behind.”
“Remarried at 62 after 30 years divorced. He was a 61-year-old widower. We’re not trying to change each other, just enjoying each other. And he’s the best.”
“My second marriage is bliss. The first was about who I wanted to be. The second is about who I actually am.”
“In my 50s now and in a long-term relationship – never knew what a healthy relationship looked like until now.”
A different kind of love
Love later in life often comes with fewer expectations and more appreciation. It’s not about building a future from scratch – it’s about enjoying the present, being a companion, and truly being seen for who you are.
In retirement villages across Australia and the world, this kind of love is blossoming every day. It’s no surprise – shared experiences, close-knit communities, and meaningful conversations create the perfect environment for deep connection.
Whether it leads to marriage or a loving partnership, finding love later in life is a beautiful chapter –and proof that it’s never too late to fall in love again.