Hollywood icon Dick Van Dyke has openly discussed the unconventional success of his marriage to wife Arlene Silver, despite their significant 46-year age difference. The 99-year-old legendary actor charmingly attributes their harmony to his own youthful spirit and his wife's grounded maturity.
The Unconventional Meeting That Started It All
The couple's story began backstage at the SAG Awards in 2006, where they first encountered each other. Their connection developed gradually over several years before they eventually tied the knot in 2012, creating what was then considered Hollywood's most notable age gap relationship. At the time of their wedding, Van Dyke was 86 while Silver was 40.
In a recent candid interview, the beloved Mary Poppins star revealed that their age difference has proven to be the opposite of problematic. "I'm infantile to start with. I think I'm about 13," Van Dyke confessed, adding that Arlene is "very mature" for her age. This dynamic, he insists, has meant they "haven't had any problem with age at all."
The Secret Ingredients to Their Lasting Happiness
Van Dyke enthusiastically credits his wife with keeping their lives vibrant and fulfilling. "She's kept me happy every day of my life, every day," he told People magazine. "She's a joy. She can get me singing or dancing and she carries so much responsibility... I'm just lucky."
The nonagenarian actor emphasised how Arlene keeps them "constantly busy," which he believes contributes significantly to his daily happiness. Their shared passions for singing and dancing have become cornerstones of their relationship, providing common ground that transcends generational differences.
From Friendship to Soulmates
Their relationship evolved gradually from friendship to romance. After their initial meeting at the awards ceremony, they maintained a platonic relationship for some time. The dynamic shifted in 2009 following the death of Michelle Triola Marvin, Van Dyke's partner at the time they met.
During this difficult period, Silver provided crucial emotional support, regularly visiting Van Dyke and bringing him food. "She was such a support, I fell in love," Van Dyke recalled of this transitional phase. His family embraced the relationship wholeheartedly, with his grandchildren calling Arlene "Grandma" and his four children from his previous marriage to Margue Willet fully accepting her.
Silver initially approached the romantic development with more caution, noting she was "scared" about public perception. However, she found reassurance from those close to her and now believes their connection makes the age difference irrelevant. "I think when you see us together, it's like you don't even think about it," she explained. "We don't think about it, we just meet in the middle."
Reflecting on their extraordinary bond, Van Dyke expressed profound gratitude for finding his soulmate. "I had no idea she was half my age," he admitted. "Beautiful. I was fortunate that I didn't grow up. We were meant to be."
