Dick Van Dyke, the 99-year-old star of Mary Poppins, has revealed that many people doubted his marriage to Arlene Silver, 53, due to their nearly 50-year age gap. The couple, who have been married for 13 years, say their relationship works because they get along so well.
Speaking to People magazine, Van Dyke said: 'Everybody said it wouldn't work.' Silver added: 'Yeah. I mean it's like eerie how well it works. People the same age don't last.'
The couple first met at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2006, when Van Dyke was 81 and Silver was 35. However, they did not begin a romance until after the death of Van Dyke's longtime partner, Michelle Triola Marvin, in 2009. Van Dyke recalled: 'I never said hello to a strange girl in my life. I was too scared. But I was at a show backstage and she walked by, and for some reason, I just jumped up and said, “Hi, I'm Dick.”'
Van Dyke previously admitted he was initially concerned about the 46-year age gap, but his family embraced Silver. 'My grandkids call her Grandma. My four kids just love her,' he said in 2013. He also joked that Silver keeps him young, telling Yahoo in 2023: 'Having a beautiful young wife half my age to take care of me – that works!'
Van Dyke credits his wife with helping him maintain a positive attitude and regular exercise, going to the gym three days a week. He also attributes his longevity to good genes. Van Dyke was previously married to Margie Willett from 1948 to 1984, with whom he had four children, and later had a long-term relationship with Triola Marvin until her death.
