When Dick Van Dyke famously danced across London rooftops in the 1964 classic Mary Poppins, his future wife Arlene Silver hadn't even been born. Their paths wouldn't cross until a chance encounter four decades later, sparking one of Hollywood's most surprising and enduring love stories.
From Chance Meeting to Lasting Love
The legendary actor first met makeup artist Arlene Silver at the 2006 Screen Actors Guild Awards, when Dick was 80 years old and Arlene was just 34. At the time, Van Dyke was involved with actress Michelle Triola Marvin, having previously ended his 36-year marriage to Margue Willet after an affair.
Their friendship blossomed slowly, with romance only developing years later after Michelle's death in 2009. Arlene began visiting Dick to offer comfort during his grieving period, bringing food and providing emotional support that ultimately deepened their connection.
"Arlene would come by after work and bring me food," Dick recalled to People magazine in 2013. "She was such a support, I fell in love. My grandkids called her Grandma. My four children just loved her."
Defying Expectations with Hollywood's Largest Age Gap
In 2012, the couple made headlines when they married, creating Hollywood's most significant age gap relationship at the time. The 86-year-old actor wed his 40-year-old bride, establishing a 46-year difference that raised eyebrows throughout the entertainment industry.
Their relationship now represents one of the largest age gaps in Hollywood, particularly after the recent split between Al Pacino, 85, and Noor Alfallah, 31, who had a 54-year difference but separated after welcoming a baby in 2023.
As Dick prepares to celebrate his 100th birthday in December 2024, the couple remain stronger than ever, with 13 years of marriage behind them and no signs of slowing down.
The Secrets to Their Lasting Romance
Both Dick and Arlene attribute their relationship success to shared passions and mutual support. Their love for singing and dancing forms the foundation of their marriage, with daily musical sessions keeping their bond strong and Dick feeling youthful.
"I met Arlene in 2006 and she quickly became my soulmate and the love of my life," Dick told The Sunday Times. "Without question, our ongoing romance is the most important reason I have not withered away into a hermetic grouch."
Remarkably, Arlene claims that couples without such age gaps "don't last," suggesting their difference has become a strength rather than a weakness. She describes their connection as "eerie" in its perfection, noting that they "just meet in the middle" despite the nearly five-decade age difference.
Dick credits his wife with keeping him active and youthful, stating: "Arlene is half my age, and she makes me feel somewhere between two thirds and three quarters my age, which is still saying a lot."
The couple's shared home in Malibu serves as their sanctuary, where they recently hosted the first Vandy Camp event. Despite nearly losing their home to the Franklin fire, they consider themselves "very lucky" to have each other and their cherished space.
Arlene sums up their unusual success simply: "We don't think about [the age gap], we just meet in the middle." As Dick Van Dyke approaches his centenary year, this extraordinary Hollywood marriage continues to prove that love knows no age boundaries.
