What is the point of getting married when you’re already 40+?

[Ba0licious]

[Lliam]

It made perfect sense to me.

I got married for when I was 42. Neither my wife or I had any kids or ever been married before, even though we had both lived full and fulfilling lives.

I had girlfriends from the time I was 16 but wasn't interested in having kids and had no desire to get married when I was young because I didn't want to be tied down. I was carefree and had a lot of living to do.

When I was 33 or 34, I started thinking about settling down and having someone to share the rest of my life with. By then, I had good income and some assets. I looked good and felt great, but I started thinking that time was passing and I didn't want to grow old alone. I thought it best to find a partner while I was in my prime.

I get into a couple more relationships.
When I was 34, I rented a house with one gorgeous lady and things were wonderful for a while, but she turned into a nightmare and we broke up within a year.
I met another gorgeous lady when I was 36 and wound up living with her in her rented house for two years but kept my apartment. She was the first woman I loved with my heart and soul. She loved me, too. But, as it turned out, we could not have made it as life-long partners and wound up separating, even though we still loved each other.
It took me a year to pull myself together after that separation. I never felt such pain in my life. But I finally got on with life.

I met my future wife when I was 40 and she was 37. I proposed a year later and married her a year after that.

We have been happily married now for over 29 years, had a LOT of fun, and built a wonderful life together.
I will be 72 years old in a few days. I can't imagine life without her. I would be lonely and miserable.
I couldn't be happier with her as my best friend, partner, companion and lover.

So my life worked out as I had desired.

[BCRanger10]

Why not? You still have that companionship for the rest of your life. You have someone who loves you and cares about you. Sure, in your 40s, children are a lot less likely, though not totally out of the question; a podcaster I recently discovered got married and had a healthy baby at 40, and I personally know a woman who got married at 38 and had her first baby after. But you can still give your life to someone who will cherish you.

[RxR0954]

Why not? Do you personally want something out of a marriage that being 40+ can’t provide? People get married out of formal recognition for their love and legal protection for them as a couple being in a relationship.

[Nikki1989]

It is the same point at getting married at 21. That doesn't change with age.

I know a man who was married last year at 72, and he says it was the best thing he has ever done.

[Berethor]

At that age a woman's chance of having children is extremely low, so yea no point.

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/age-and-fertility

[slatyb]

Legal advantages which may include lower taxes, and simplification of other legal arrangements such as inheritance.

[jshm2]

From tax relief, to wealth securitization. Or could be love, and the need to formally accept family.

[WonderingManII]

The older you are the more you need someone to help you.

[dudeinohio]

You can find love at any age. I married my wife 3 years ago. Previously married then divorced.

[Twalli]

Because reproducing is not the sole reason for marriage.

[AliceGregory]

It's never too late to find love :)

[Chocolatetwopoint3]

whats the point of marriage at all?

[Kelly6]

@ba0licious thats is exactly how I feel

[MasterKS]

Marriage doesn't make any sense.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

Because you want to

[Daytoday79]

Love.