They are one of the longest married couples in Switzerland – News

She is 96, he is 100 years old. They have been a married couple for most of their lives. And they still have big plans.

The calendar shows April 25, 1953 – the wedding anniversary of Hedwig and Hans Bohner. The two have been a married couple for 71 years. She is now 96 years old and he is already 100 years old.

The two still live together in their house in Hombrechtikon. Despite their old age, Hedwig and Hans are still healthy, are adventurous and enjoy traveling. Last year they were in Costa Rica. Currently they would be interested in the Cape Verde Islands or Colombia. Colombia is probably less of an option, says Hans, but Cape Verde is certainly. “Traveling is always possible,” they both say.

Hans and Hedwig Bohner have one heart and one soul – but this rather hackneyed term can confidently be used in their case. The couple, who have been married for more than seven decades, have lived in their home in Hombrechtikon, Zurich, for over 50 years.

The recipe for a long marriage

Spitex visits once a day, and their children also support the parents with some matters – otherwise the couple lives independently. On the one hand, they see a recipe for a long marriage in the fact that they were always separated for long periods of time. This is because Hans Bohner worked in the aluminum industry. He often traveled on business – to Australia, New Zealand or South Africa.

On the other hand, in such a long marriage it is important that they like the same things, like the same people – or rather: liked them. Many of her friends have already died. “That’s bad, there are few friends left,” says Hans. They do more things together, like going for a walk, drinking wine, cooking and eating.

Legend:

Common interests are important for a long and successful marriage. This photo was taken in Canada.

SRF / Luca Fuchs

When asked how they met, Hedwig laughs and says it’s a very long story. When we met, aluminum was also involved. As a young man, Hans studied chemistry at ETH Zurich and then worked as a consultant in the aluminum industry. In this context, he once visited a factory in Austria. It was the factory where Hedwig worked as a secretary.

An extraordinary story

For Hans it was love at first moment. “She had beautiful eyes, beautiful hair and was generally very modern,” he says. But she didn’t even notice him or look at him. “Yes, that’s right. “He wasn’t the first man I’d heard of,” she adds. But Hans didn’t want to give up. He contacted and visited her several times over a year when she was in Lausanne to learn French.

“I visited her again and again until it hit her too,” he says. But then the feelings for both of them became quite strong. One thing led to another, she says, and it just happened like that. A wedding followed – shortly afterwards they moved to Canada, where two of the three children were later born.

Legend:

They both still remember their wedding day 71 years ago well.

SRF / Luca Fuchs

Hedwig looked after the family while Hans worked – whether in Canada, Norway or Germany. “Since he was married to aluminum professionally, we were always after him,” she says with a laugh. It was sometimes difficult for her, alone with the children. However, she has come to terms with it.

He is simply satisfied that Hedwig has stayed with him for a long time and will continue to stay with him. “Thank God we’re still together – that’s just what’s very important today,” she says, “very important.”