A couple have both reached the age of 100 within days of each other after more than seven decades of marriage.

Paulo Huller and Ernestina Walter Huller live in Sao Jose, in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, and celebrated their centenary birthdays in December and January.

The couple, who married in 1947, have been together for 78 years and marked the milestone with family and friends at a gathering held on 11th January.

Picture shows the couple Paulo Huller and Ernestina Walter Huller, undated. They celebrated their 100th birthdays just days apart in Florianpolis, Brazil. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Cristina Huller/Newsflash)

Both originally from the town of Angelina, Paulo and Ernestina met when they were young at a local church, where Ernestina said she decided she wanted to date him on the day they first spoke.

Paulo's birthday was on 28th December, while Ernestina turned 100 on 18th January.

Paulo worked as a farm labourer, while Ernestina was a church cook and later a seamstress, and together they had eight children, five of whom are still alive, along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The pair have lived in the same house in Sao Jose for more than 50 years, and their children now take turns to help care for them at home.

Picture shows the couple Paulo Huller and Ernestina Walter Huller with family, undated. They celebrated their 100th birthdays just days apart in Florianpolis, Brazil. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Cristina Huller/Newsflash)

Despite their age, Ernestina spends her time doing crochet, knitting and word puzzles, while Paulo continues to cook meals, including beans, rice, pasta and chicken.

Asked about the secret to their long marriage, Ernestina said it was “putting up with each other” and avoiding arguments over small things.

(Aloysius Fernandes /Newsflash)