Full top 10: Johnny Cash's note to wife voted greatest love letter of all time

Johnny Cash’s letter to his wife, June Carter Cash, was written for her 64th birthday.

18:02 12 February 2015

Johnny Cash’s letter to his wife, June, was voted as the greatest love letter of all time by people who have participated in a survey. Written on her 64th birthday, it reads:

"Happy Birthday Princess,

We get old and get use to each other. We think alike.

We read each others minds. We know what the other wants without asking. Sometimes we irritate each other a little bit. Maybe sometimes take each other for granted.

But once in awhile, like today, I meditate on it and realize how lucky I am to share my life with the greatest woman I ever met. You still fascinate and inspire me.

You influence me for the better. You’re the object of my desire, the #1 Earthly reason for my existence. I love you very much.

Happy Birthday Princess.

John"

The couple were married for 30 years and died just within four months of each other in 2003.

The other letters that made it to the top 10 (compiled by life insurance company Beagle Street) include a 1964 letter from Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor and a beautifully written note from poet John Keats to his neighbour, Fanny Brawne, sent in 1818.

The world’s top 10 love letters:

1. Johnny Cash wishes wife June Carter Cash a happy 65th birthday (1994)
2. Winston Churchill to his wife, Clementine Churchill, in 1935
3. Poet John Keats to his neighbour Fanny Brawne in 1819
4. Author Ernest Hemingway to actress Marlene Dietrich in 1951
5. Napoleon Bonaparte to Josephine de Beauharnais in 1796
6. Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor in 1964
7. King Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn in 1527
8. Beethoven to his anonymous “Immortal Beloved” in 1812
9. US President Gerald Ford to his wife Betty Ford in 1974
10. Musician Jimi Hendrix writes to an unknown girlfriend (date unknown)

Extracts from the top 10 greatest love letters:

1. Johnny Cash wishes wife June Carter Cash a happy 65th birthday (1994)
“But once in awhile, like today, I meditate on it and realize how lucky I am to share my life with the greatest woman I ever met. You still fascinate and inspire me.”

2. Winston Churchill to his wife, Clementine Churchill, in 1935
“In your letter from Madras you wrote some words very dear to me, about my having enriched your life. I cannot tell you what pleasure this gave me, because I always feel so overwhelmingly in your debt, if there can be accounts in love.... What it has been to me to live all these years in your heart and companionship no phrases can convey.”

3. Poet John Keats to his neighbour Fanny Brawne in 1819
“My love has made me selfish. I cannot exist without you - I am forgetful of every thing but seeing you again - my Life seems to stop there - I see no further. You have absorb'd me. I have a sensation at the present moment as though I was dissolving - I should be exquisitely miserable without the hope of soon seeing you. I should be afraid to separate myself far from you.”

4. Author Ernest Hemingway to actress Marlene Dietrich in 1951
“I can't say how every time I ever put my arms around you I felt that I was home. Nor too many things. But we were always cheerful and jokers together.”

5. Napoleon Bonaparte to Josephine de Beauharnais in 1796
“Since I left you, I have been constantly depressed. My happiness is to be near you. Incessantly I live over in my memory your caresses, your tears, your affectionate solicitude. The charms of the incomparable Josephine kindle continually a burning and a glowing flame in my heart.”

6. Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor in 1964
“My blind eyes are desperately waiting for the sight of you. You don't realize of course, EB, how fascinatingly beautiful you have always been, and how strangely you have acquired an added and special and dangerous loveliness.”

7. King Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn in 1527
“I beg to know expressly your intention touching the love between us. Necessity compels me to obtain this answer, having been more than a year wounded by the dart of love, and not yet sure whether I shall fail or find a place in your affection.”

8. Beethoven to his anonymous “Immortal Beloved” in 1812
“Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, Be calm-love me-today-yesterday-what tearful longings for you-you-you-my life-my all-farewell. Oh continue to love me-never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved. Ever thine. Ever mine. Ever ours.”

9. US President Gerald Ford to his wife Betty Ford in 1974
“No written words can adequately express our deep, deep love. We know how great you are and we, the children and Dad, will try to be as strong as you. Our Faith in you and God will sustain us. Our total love for you is everlasting.”

10. Musician Jimi Hendrix writes to an unknown girlfriend (date unknown)
 “little girl.....
happiness is within you....so unlock the chains from your heart and let yourself grow—
like the sweet flower you are.....
I know the answer–
Just spread your wings and set yourself
FREE
Love to you forever
Jimi Hendrix”