 Benson married his wife Lillian in November 1936; the 79-year marriage, which lasted until her death in March 2016, remains the longest entertainment industry marriage on record, surpassing Dolores and Bob Hope's 69-year marriage in 2006.Irving and Lillian had two children, and at the time of their death, they were survived by them, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.He turned 100 in January 2014, and died on May 19, 2016 at the age of 102.