J.R.R. Tolkien married Edith Bratt in 1916. They were childhood friends and their relationship was a significant influence on Tolkien's life and works.

Edith Bratt Tolkien was raised as a Baptist in Birmingham, England. She converted to Catholicism in 1904, which was a significant event in her life and relationship with J.R.R. Tolkien.

Yes (as of March 2011). She's currently 81.

J.R.R. Tolkien was married to Edith Bratt. They met as teenagers and remained together until Edith's death in 1971. Tolkien credits Edith as being the inspiration for the character Lúthien in his Middle-earth writings.

Edith Mary Tolkien, Luthien, 1889-1971
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, Beren, 1892-1973