Actor Dick Van Dyke has played in many beloved movies, such as the 1968 “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” “Night At the Museum,” and who could forget “Mary Poppins”? But, beyond film, he looks to be living a beautiful life with his other half.
HOW OLD IS DICK VAN DYKE?
Van Dyke is 96-years-old, but he is still going strong. He was recently seen on a stroll with his wife, 50-year-old Arlene Silver, in Malibu, California. He was wearing a sweatshirt that honored his time on the “Mary Poppins” set, that read “Just a Spoonful of Sugar.”
The actor’s wife was also dressed casually, with black tights on and a blue bag slung over her shoulder. Silver works in the entertainment industry as well, specifically with makeup and art. She is also a producer.
WHO IS DICK VAN DYKE MARRIED TO?
Van Dyke met Silver in 2007. She stopped him dead in his tracks at the 13th annual SAG Awards, and he hired her as a makeup lady soon after. Two years later, Dick’s partner at the time, Michelle Triola, passed away from lung cancer. Speaking about this, the actor said:
“My last lady, Michelle, died of cancer about three years ago. I was alone for a year and just about lost it. I cannot live alone. I have to have somebody to share [life] with.”
Arlene was very supportive of him during the grieving process. She would come in after work and bring him food, among other compassionate gestures. Soon, the duo fell deeply in love, tying the knot in 2021.
Dick Van Dyke and Arlene Silver at the Princess Grace Awards Gala on October 8, 2014 in Beverly Hills. | Source: Getty Images
Forty-six years apart, they have a significant age gap between them, but they do not feel it is an issue because, as Van Dyke has expressed:
“The age difference hasn’t been a problem at all. Emotionally I’m about 13. She’s very, very wise for her age, so I’m just having the time of my life.”
The two have a fun-loving relationship with a shared TikTok account where they post clips such as the 96-year-old swaying his hips to Beck’s “Loser.”
WHAT WAS DICK VAN DYKE’S PRIVATE LIFE LIKE BEFORE ARLENE SILVER?
Van Dyke and his first wife, Margerie Willet, were married from 1948 to 1984, and although she suffered a miscarriage, they went on to have four children together: Christian, Barry, Stacy, and Carrie.
Willet disapproved of the Hollywood lifestyle, finding herself uncomfortable when her husband grew famous. According to her ex-husband, she was not fond of celebrities, except for Frank Sinatra, attending a dinner cooked by the iconic vocalist.
While he was still married to Willet, Van Dyke and Triola began seeing each other in 1976 after meeting on the set of “Ship of Fools.” They lived together for three decades until she passed away.
Nowadays, after a rollercoaster ride of relationships, he spends his time strolling with his wife through Malibu and making funnyTikToks together — a life we could all hope for in our old age.
