I read a British Medical journal article not too long ago about how older British widows are much happier than then they were when they were married. I can only assume that the men are happier too.
My Dad was extremely controlling and while it went well with his sons (or at least one of them) it didn’t set well with his wife or daughter. The result was when I left home to seek my fortune I left home for good, rarely went back. Later when my mom became a widow, I asked her why she didn’t have more friends because with friends “you might find someone to love again.”.
Her reply was pithy: “I will never again be the subjugated subject or foot stool of any man. Never.” And she wasn’t, either. Happy? Yes, she was. She had very little money and spent less. But she controlled it. I was really proud of her. I feared my dad, but I loved my Mom.