[Remarriage in the aged]

A comprehensive review of our knowledge on remarriage in old age is presented, based on demographic data and on empirical studies both from Germany and elsewhere. In 1984, more than 8000 people aged 60 years and above remarried after the death of a partner or following divorce. The probability for remarriage in this age group in Germany and other Western industrial countries is about 0.015. The likelihood for men to remarry is approximately five to six times higher and can be best interpreted as a reflector of the distribution of sexes on the "remarriage market", rather than as an expression of any differential priorities or attitudes between sex groups. Other factors influencing remarriage are numeric age, social status, ethnic and religious integration and previous experiences of married life. The interval between loss of a partner and remarriage commonly stretches between 1.5 and 5.5 years. The main motive for remarriage is the wish not be alone. Basic values underlying the choice of a partner are the same as in the previous partnership. There are no apparent differences between the sexes with regard to the estimated success of their partnership. In three out of four cases, remarriage in old age seems to be a successful undertaking.