After meeting in 1976, Jeri and Mike Wirtz fell in love – and overcame life’s highs and lows to make their marriage last decades.
The interracial couple from Los Angeles, both 72 years old, lived in the same apartment complex when they met – and it was love at first sight.
Less than a decade earlier, the Supreme Court’s landmark 1967 ruling in Loving v. Virginia had declared anti-miscegenation laws unconstitutional and supported the right to marry regardless of one’s racial background.
The couple, who have been married for 46 years, sparked the interest of younger generations after their love story went viral online after their son Ryan posted a video on social media.
After meeting in 1976, Jeri and Mike Wirtz fell for each other hard and fast – and overcame life’s highs and lows to keep their marriage lasting for decades
The interracial Los Angeles couple, both 72 years old, lived in the same apartment complex when they met – and it was love at first sight
“A lot of people ask us if the racial divide has affected our relationship and commitment to each other,” Jeri says.
“Honestly, that didn’t happen. California had abolished its anti-miscegenation laws long before we got married,” she continued. “So we were able to build a relationship with minimal opposition.”
The couple dated for just a year before getting married, exchanging vows 46 years ago.
Back then, the landscape for interracial couples was very different than it is today.
Their love has seen the highs and lows of life, with the couple’s bond standing firm and staying together in sickness and in health.
Both have battled cancer – Jeri is still battling stage 4 breast cancer, while Mike battled prostate cancer.
The couple has built a beautiful family together and shares two children: Nicole, born in 1980 and Ryan, born in 1985. They also share three grandchildren.
It was son Ryan who encouraged the retired couple to post their love story online.
Less than a decade earlier, the Supreme Court’s landmark 1967 ruling in Loving v. Virginia had declared anti-miscegenation laws unconstitutional and supported the right to marry regardless of one’s racial background
The couple dated for just a year before getting married, exchanging vows 46 years ago
Their love has seen the highs and lows of life; where the couple’s love is steadfast and remains together in sickness and in health
The couple has two children and three grandchildren together (in the photo with their daughter Nicole, born in 1980)
The couple hopes to inspire others to live authentically and fearlessly, and also shares how opposite personalities can result in harmonious partnerships
“Our son really believed in us and our unique story,” Jeri explained.
“He saw something special on our trip and said, ‘Mom, Dad, you have something special to share with the world,’” she said.
They began sharing their love story and the life they built together on TikTok and Instagram, amassing more than 227,000 followers, with more than 14.7 million likes on TikTok.
The couple’s son, Ryan, first encouraged them to post their love story online
The couple hopes to inspire others to live authentically and fearlessly, and also shares how opposite personalities can result in harmonious partnerships.
‘We are very different. I’m the outgoing one and Michael is a little more shy,” Jeri explained.
“I like R&B, and Mike likes Rock and Roll. I’m always late and Mike is always on time.’
They also gave some insight into how they have kept their relationship strong after so many years, saying that love and respect are the most important part of keeping their strong bond.
‘First and foremost you have to be friends who really like each other. You can’t mold each other into something you’re not,” Jeri advised.
“It’s about accepting your partner for who he is, with his quirks and all, while he does the same for you,” she continued. ‘And at its core it’s about cultivating love, mutual respect and unwavering trust in each other.’