New York Couple to Turn a Combined 212 Years Old
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Amalia Thomas(NEW YORK) — A New York couple married for 82 years will celebrate a major milestone Saturday when the husband, Duranord Veillard, turns 108.
The momentous occasion means the couple will be a combined 212 years old. Veillard’s wife, Jeanne, is 104.
“He will tell you the secret to living a long life is all God,” a family friend told ABC News of Veillard. “He says that God has preserved him so well and he wishes that everyone can live a long life as he did.”
Amalia Thomas, the close friend and business liaison for the Veillard family, is fielding the flood of requests for the now high-profile couple who were featured in the local newspaper Thursday and have since seen their celebrity skyrocket.
“They’re like, ‘Who is next? What question are you going to ask?’” Thomas said. “They’re very excited.”
The Veillards, who live with their daughter in Spring Valley, New York, are able to easily take in all the attention because, according to Thomas, they are still very sharp.
“I don’t know how they do it but he’s very alert. He remembers dates. He can tell you the day he got married,” Thomas said of Duranord. “Jeanne is a little bit more quiet and laid-back.”
The couple met in Haiti and married in November 1932. Duranord Veillard, who worked as a lawyer and judge in Haiti, moved to the United States in 1967, followed by his wife in 1979.
They have five kids, 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, Thomas said.
Though Duranord has trouble with his eyesight and hearing, the centenarian maintains a daily exercise regime.
“He does daily exercises in his chair, every single day,” Thomas said.
Veillard told The Journal News he wakes up at 5 a.m. and does five to seven pushups, followed by tea, oatmeal and fruit for breakfast. The rest of the day includes fish and fresh vegetables for their meals, interrupted by many naps, according to the newspaper.
On Saturday, the Veillards will mark Duranord’s 112th birthday with a party at their home with their family.
“They’re very excited,” Thomas said.
Up next is Jeanne’s birthday celebration. She will turn 105 May 1.
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