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Dick Van Dyke and Arlene Silver attend the 43rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors at The Kennedy Center on May 21, 2021 in Washington, DC© Getty Images

Dick Van Dyke shares how he really feels about 46-year age gap with wife Arlene Silver: 'I had no idea'

The Mary Poppins actor and the make-up artist met in 2006, and have been married since 2012

July 17, 2024
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Age is truly just a number for Dick Van Dyke, especially when it comes to his love story with wife Arlene Silver.

That especially rang true when the couple, who have a 46-year age gap, met back in 2006 at the SAG Awards, when the Mary Poppins actor was 81 and his wife was 35.

The pair, now 98 and 52, have been married since 2012, and the six-time Emmy winner jokes that he has the fact that he "didn't grow up" to thank for that.

Recommended videoYou may also likeDick Van Dyke's adorable first with wife Arlene Silver

Recently speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Dick reflected on his love story with Arlene, a make-up artist, which first started as a friendship after he, struck by her as soon as he saw her, decided to hire her.

Looking back on the moment, he confessed: "I never approached a strange woman in my life," however he added: "She walked by and I jumped and I said, 'Hi, I'm Dick.' I had no idea she was half my age. Beautiful."

She only had one business card left, which he promptly took. Arlene, also reflecting on how their friendship turned into something more in 2011, and their age gap, explained: "We were friends for so long that when I told people that I know, they were happy about [our relationship]."

Actor Dick Van Dyke and Arlene Silver arrive at the premiere of Disney's "Mary Poppins Returns" at the El Capitan Theatre on November 29, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.© Getty
Dick and Arlene met in 2006, but only started dating in 2011

Though she confessed she was initially "scared" about the near 50-year gap, she emphasized: "It's so irrelevant. I think when you see us together, it's like you don't think about it."

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"I was fortunate that I didn't grow up," Dick then joked, himself maintaining: "We were meant to be."

Dick Van Dyke wins Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series for "Days of our Lives" alongside wife Arlene Silver© Getty
The actor never fails to express his gratitude for Arlene

"I've never met anyone like him," Arlene further gushed, adding: "He's always happy and just positive. Always singing, and I would never sing in public. He got me to sing. He got me to sing up on a stage and sang in front of 1,500 people for the first time. He's just the most joyful person. He influences everybody else to be more joyful, playful."

MORE: Dick Van Dyke at 98 is as energetic as ever just days after making history – see him now

Dick Van Dyke, US actor, poses with a variety of kites in a publicity still for the film, 'Mary Poppins', USA, 1964. The film musical, directed by Robert Stevenson, starred Van Dyke as 'Bert'.© Getty
Dick, who was born in 1927, has been acting since the 1940s

At 98, Dick is still working, and making history — he recently made history as the oldest Daytime Emmys winner ever. Also speaking about what his "secret" to a long and healthy life might be, he admitted: "I've often tried to think what did I do to live this long and I can't figure out," before adding: "The only thing is I've always exercised. We still go to the gym three days a week and work out. And I believe that's the secret."

MORE: Dick Van Dyke reveals what's most heartbreaking about turning 98 in rare interview

Dick Van Dyke and wife, Arlene Silver photographed at home during a photo shoot on April 21, 2016 in Malibu, California© Getty
The couple, who have been married for 12 years, live in California

He continued: "Most people at 98 years old don't really feel like working out and they seize up, you know? You get stiff and I'm still, you know, [moving] pretty well. And I think that must be the secret because I don't really watch my diet or anything. Stayed skinny. That helps."

Prior to his marriage to Arlene, Dick was married to Margie Willett, who passed away in 2008, from 1948 to 1984; they welcomed four children, Christian, 74, Barry, 72, Stacy, 68, and Carrie Beth, 62. In 1976, already separated from Margie, he started dating Michelle Triola Marvin, and the two were together until her death in 2009.

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