20-05-2025
Couple who met as teenagers and were married for 74 years die on the same day
A couple who were married for 74 years have died on the same day.
Odileta Pansani de Haro and Paschoal de Haro, who met as teenagers in their native Brazil, died at their home two days after their 74th wedding anniversary - a mere 10 hours apart.
Odileta died at 7am on April 17, aged 92, while Paschoal died in the same room at 5pm that day, aged 94.
After developing Alzheimer's, Odileta was cared for by her husband in her twilight years
But in 2023, Paschoal received his own devastating diagnosis of terminal bowel cancer.
Their loved ones said that after hearing the heartbreaking news, Paschoal - who presumably couldn't imagine life without his wife - began praying to god that he and Odileta would take their last breath on the same day.
And, it would seem that his prayers were answered.
Odileta, from Mirassol in São Paulo, and Paschoal, from neighbouring Bálsamo, first met in the main square of Votuporanga, north-west of São Paulo, when she was 15 and he was 18.
Their romance began when Paschoal was absent-mindedly playing with a small chain.
It accidentally flew out of his grip and landed on Odileta's arm, sparking laughter between the pair.
They tied the knot in April 1951 and went on to have six children, with Odileta assuming the role of homemaker and Paschoal working in a fabric shop.
Their children went on to have children of their own, and the couple were later blessed with great-grandchildren.
Together, they founded a charity in Votuporanga to donate baby clothes to single mothers and food to those in need.
Their son-in-law Luciano Leal told local media: 'They were always welcoming, always loving, always willing to help others, anyone, with no distinction of race or social status.
'They always stood for self-love and the love they had for one another.
'And they poured that love into helping those around them.'
According to loved ones, Paschoal prayed to God that he and Odileta would take their last breath on the same day
Odileta and Paschoal celebrated their last wedding anniversary - their 74th - surrounded by their family.
Luciano said: 'It's a love story worthy of a film.
'They always said they'd leave together - and they did.
'They lived, they loved, and they triumphed in this great passion they had for each other. And they leave behind this beautiful family.
'Their legacy will live on forever.'
