I was widowed at 50. My husband was 49. He would have been 50 last month. I consider myself a "young 50" so in my mind this feels younger than it looks on paper. Donna

I was 32 when my husband passed away and he was 36. waaaaaaaaaaay too young for us both and our children:(

My wife was a few months older than me; we were both 51 when she lost her battle to cancer.

I was 45 and he was 47. His was caused by an accident.

I turned 60 five days after he died; he was 67. About half of our friends and family still have their spouses; the others were widowed roughly at 50-55. laurabp

I read the same statistic somewhere but I think it was even younger-53 for women. I had just turned 49 and my husband 53 when he passed.

I looke it up after my husband died and I read the average age was 54 - my age. I was very surprised.

Mid-50's does sound young for average to me....I am 44 and my husband was 45. I noticed there are many here at DS in their 40's and 50's. I assumed this was because people our ages are more apt to seek help online than those in their 70s, but I guess it is because the average age is younger than I thought it would be.

I was 41, my husband 37.

This surprises me! I assumed the average age would be higher. I was 61 and my husband was 63 when he passed away.

I am 58 my hubby was 67 . Seems like cancer is taking out people at young ages. I watched a tv show about grieving last night. Parents had to explain to young children they had lost a parent made me so thankful all my children was grown. My heart really goes out to those who has to raise children while getting through this.

I was 54 when DH passed in Nov. He was 56 just 10 days before his birthday.

I was 61 when my husband dies at age 57.

I was 52 when Joe died - he was 58. Way too young. When I read this, I did a fast average in my head - in my own small community, and these are only people I know, the dozen or so widows/widowers ranged from 28 to 75, with the bulk of us in our 50's. Cancer was predominant (even the 28 year old). I think how many very young ones there must be to average the age to 54.

I was 58 and my Michael had just turned 60 when he lost his battle with cancer. With all they know of this dreadful disease why is there no cure???