A 99-year-old Italian man has reportedly filed for divorce from his 96-year-old wife after 77 years of marriage, following a discovery that reopened a decades-old wound. According to court reports, Antonio C. found a collection of old letters in a chest of drawers shortly before Christmas, revealing that his wife, Rosa C., had been involved in an affair around 60 years earlier.

After confronting her, Rosa C. allegedly admitted to the past relationship and reportedly tried to persuade him to remain in the marriage. However, despite nearly eight decades together and a shared life that included five children, twelve grandchildren, and a great-grandchild, Antonio C. decided to proceed with divorce proceedings, surprising many due to the length of their marriage.

The couple’s story has drawn attention for both its longevity and its unexpected breakdown so late in life. They first met in the 1930s in Italy, during Antonio’s service in the Carabinieri, and later built a long life together filled with family and history. While their marriage endured for generations, the resurfaced letters ultimately changed how Antonio viewed their shared past.

If finalized, the divorce would make them one of the oldest divorcing couples on record, surpassing previous cases involving couples in their late 90s. The story has sparked discussion about forgiveness, memory, and how even long-lasting relationships can be affected by events buried in the past.