Overview
- Maria and Ludwig Jökel of Ost‑Hessen reached their 100th birthdays within weeks, with Maria following one month after Ludwig.
- Thormaehlen, who has photographed centenarians worldwide since 2006, said this is the first over‑100 married couple he has documented.
- Their daughter, Petra Hartung, credited years of brisk daily walks after retirement and her father's current hour‑long rollator laps for sustaining fitness.
- Maria described her personal guideline for longevity as "everything in moderation," with the couple anchored by a close family of two children, five grandchildren and three great‑grandchildren.
- Germany counted about 17,900 people aged 100 or older at the end of 2024, an increase of roughly a quarter since 2011, according to the Federal Statistical Office.