Age is not a hindrance: happy "unequal" marriages

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

When something does not fit into the usual framework, it is immediately condemned by society. Thus, marriages in which the spouses have a large age difference are usually called “unequal”. However, contrary to the prevailing stereotypes about the misunderstanding of generations, there are many examples where spouses, despite the huge age differences, developed relationships full of love and mutual respect.

Nikolay Sheremetev and Praskovya Zhemchugova (difference of 17 years)

The romantic relationship of the owners with their serfs did not surprise anyone before. But when Count Nikolai Sheremetev announced the actress of his theater, Praskovya Zhemchugov, his wife, it became a real scandal. The serfs envied Praskovya, the high society did not want to recognize her as a countess. But, despite all the gossip, the relationship between the count and the former serf was full of love and respect. However, the happiness did not last long. After 2 years of marriage, the spouse died of consumption. After her death, the count was only able to live for 6 years.

Alexander II and Ekaterina Dolgorukova (difference of 29 years)

The difference between Tsar Alexander II and Catherine Dolgoruka was almost 30 years. The emperor first noticed the young girl at the Smolny Institute. Secret correspondence, fleeting meetings lasted 14 years. Alexander II was married. And only after the death of his wife, he again marry Dolgoruka. At that time, the sovereign was 62 years old, and Catherine - 33.

Alexandra Kollontai and Pavel Dybenko (difference of 17 years)

The feminist noblewoman and revolutionary is a typical plot for melodrama. In addition, there is a huge age difference. She is 46, he is 29. Alexandra Kollontai did not burden herself with thoughts of loyalty and changed men like gloves. Only Pavel Dybenko managed to awaken a feeling of jealousy in her. A life full of betrayals, passions and quarrels, nevertheless, led them to a break. But even then Pavel, in his letters to Alexandra, wrote that he loved her.

Alexander Vertinsky and Lydia Tsirgvava (difference 33 years)

The favorite of all women in the Soviet Union, Alexander Vertinsky, married a girl who was 33 years younger than him. He was struck by the beauty of Lydia Tsirgvava, and her talent and charisma of the artist. When the lovers got married, Vertinsky was 52 years old, and she was only 19. But in this unequal marriage, both were happy.

Agatha Christie and Max Mallowen (14 years difference)

After a difficult divorce from her first husband, Agatha Christie went to unwind on an archaeological site in Iraq. It was there that she met the young, ambitious archaeologist Max Mallowan. A few months later, Max proposed to Agatha, and he was not at all embarrassed by the fact that the bride was 14 years older. They lived in marriage for 46 years, until the death of Agatha Christie. married to Max Mallown Agatha Christie created her famous detective stories about the adventures of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.