The 23-year age difference between Azmirullah Azan and Wan Nazihah Wan Awang consistently draws attention in Terengganu. Public curiosity intensifies as the husband is the same age as his wife's eldest of five children.
Their relationship began in 5/2019 through social media. Azmirullah was 21, and Nazihah was 44. She was a single mother struggling with a gas cylinder business in the coastal town of Gong Badak, five years after becoming a widow.
"He started 'liking' my photos on Facebook, and then we began chatting. Not long after, he proposed," Nazihah recalled.
Understanding Nazihah's difficulties at the time, Azmirullah offered to help her manage her business. "Initially, I just wanted to help. But then destiny arranged for us to become husband and wife, and I embraced it," the man said. They officially tied the knot after only three months of knowing each other.
Marrying an older woman, Azmirullah has faced awkward situations. When accompanying his wife to events, he is often mistaken for "escorting his mother." However, he has never felt embarrassed. "I am not ashamed to say she is my wife, because it is the truth. I love my wife and want to spend all my time with her," he stated.
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Wan Nazihah Wan Awang, 51, and her husband Azmirullah Azan, 28. *Photo: Wan Nazihah Wan Awang/Facebook*.
Life with an age difference inevitably attracts gossip. Many suspected Azmirullah married his wife for financial reasons. Ignoring the prejudice, he demonstrated his love through practical actions, working alongside his wife to run the family business for years.
Nazihah, for her part, is proud to have a mature, responsible partner. "The age gap has never been an issue between us," she said.
While a wife being older than her husband is not uncommon in modern society, it still represents a small percentage. Analysis by the Pew Research Center, based on US marriage data, shows that only about 10% of marriages involve a wife who is three or more years older than her husband, while 40% of cases have the husband older than the wife.
Combined census data indicates that only about 1%-2% of marriages feature a wife at least 10 years older than her husband, and cases with a difference of over 20 years account for only about 0,4%.
Therefore, stories like Azmirullah and Nazihah's attract public attention because they go against common age patterns in marriage.
After nearly seven years together, the couple regularly shares sweet moments on social media, clearly demonstrating that love knows no age barrier.
By Nhat Minh (via Straitimes)
