Anthony Santoro And Wife June, From Parkville, Maryland, Celebrate 70th Wedding Anniversary

In 1942, the world was embroiled in a bloody war whose end was nowhere in sight. That same year, boxer Muhammad Ali and Beatle Paul McCartney were born -- and the first electronic digital computer was successfully tested at Iowa State University.

But for Anthony "Drapey" Santoro and his wife June, 1942 holds a special, timeless significance -- for it was in that year, on April 19th, that the Santoros got married.

Celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary, the Parkville, Md. couple who have five children and 15 grandchildren told ABC News the secret to their long and fruitful marriage: dancing.

The couple dances together 5 times a week, 4 hours a night.

"I think that keeps us going," said 89-year-old June, adding that they've been dancing ever since they met.

"It gets better as the years go by," Drapey, 90, told ABC News. "I probably love her more now than when I met her."

The US Census Bureau reported that only about 6 percent of married couples ever make it to their 50th wedding anniversary.

Yet, despite the rarity of it, a number of other happy couples who celebrated their platinum wedding anniversaries this year are proving that even 70 years of marital bliss is not an impossible fantasy.

Ruth and Larry Shifman from New Hyde Park, N.Y., who celebrated 70 years together in February, told Fox News that their formula for success is simple.

"The secret to 70 years is to love each other, be happy," Ruth said, adding that it was important to be "compatible."

"There's no competition," Larry said in agreement. "She's so terrific."

For Fred and Norma Johnson of Lake County, Fla., seven decades haven't been remotely long enough.

"We had a good beginning," 91-year-old Fred told the Orlando Sentinel in March. "But it has been too short, these 70 years. I think the best is still yet to come."

Fred Johnson, Anthony Santoro and Larry Shifman are all veterans of World War II.

Clarification: This article has been edited to reflect the fact that there are many factors that make reaching one's 50th wedding anniversary a rarity. A sentence about high divorce rates in the United States has been removed to avoid confusion.

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Comments

[Janenotdoe]

01:26 PM on 04/23/2012

the SAME beat helps ;)

[NatTurner1]

10:36 AM on 04/23/2012

I love stories like this. I wish HuffPo could have done a feature on this couple however! http://straightfromthea.com/2011/05/31/til-death-do-us-part-the-worlds-longest-married-couple-photos/herbert-and-zelmyra-fisher-wedding/

Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher married for over 85 years~

[carnelia8]

11:33 PM on 04/22/2012

They should give Ms. Kim K. some pointers. Before she tries it again. Congrats, and many more to come.

[rav1267]

10:41 PM on 04/22/2012

This is what I called true love. 70 years with the same person. May God bless them

[jockmama]

08:23 PM on 04/22/2012

It's nice - but it's not "news." I'm sure at least five heterosexual couples can say this each year, SOMEwhere in the United States.

[Ramon Moreno]

06:38 PM on 04/22/2012

Stop celebrating boring people.

[cleylol]

08:32 PM on 04/22/2012

How on earth is this boring? In today's day, this many years of marriage is a great feat, and something to be honored! Marriage is to be celebrated!

[Hlynn]

05:38 PM on 04/22/2012

How romantic! Enjoying each other and having fun together after 70 years of marriage--now that is a true love story.

[tgrade1]

09:14 AM on 04/22/2012

He obviously hasn't been to Columbia.

[Octavio Montoto]

07:27 AM on 04/22/2012

My Parents will celebrate 60 years of marriage in August of this year....

[obe4]

07:36 AM on 04/22/2012

Thats great .Now a days you don't see to many marriges that stand the test of time.Happy 60 th to them.

[Ramon Moreno]

06:32 PM on 04/22/2012

This isn't about you.

[HollandReid]

06:56 AM on 04/22/2012

Can someone..... ANYONE please get them on the ELLEN show!!!!!!!! This is soooooooo GREAT!!!!!

[donp700]

04:40 AM on 04/22/2012

Love it! My dad and my mom are are 55 and 52 respectively, and they've been married for 33 years.

[Ramon Moreno]

06:33 PM on 04/22/2012

and?

[cleylol]

08:33 PM on 04/22/2012

What's your beef, man? You obviously have issues with love and happiness.

[lizp33558]

04:40 AM on 04/22/2012

Its so great to hear something like this.

[JC2009USA]

04:38 AM on 04/22/2012

Well no wonder these two are smiling...they love each other...they love dancing and music...and they have kept themselves young by doing things they love and enjoy...and they have respect for each other....

We all could take "lessons" both life and dance from them - bless them and may they have more joy than they know what to do with...they are darling.

[GOCmember]

02:58 AM on 04/22/2012

Wow! Talk about commitment and I mean not only to each other but to dancing 4 hours a night for five nights a week. They look great. Congratulations for seventy years and here's to seventy more!

[doedill7]

01:24 AM on 04/22/2012

It didn't mention the sex part. What about the sex part?

[rfmaneater]

04:39 AM on 04/22/2012

Maybe they used the word DANCE in replacement of the word SEX. Now that would be some story! 4 hours a night 5 nights a week!

[Batjak]

05:45 AM on 04/22/2012

Didnt you know that dancing was the prelude to sex in our society centuries ago.