Iconic actor Dick Van Dyke just dished all kinds of wonderfulness about his amazing 46-year age difference with wife, Arlene Silver. He spoke of the rare connection that distinguishes their player-coach relationship. Van Dyke, who was 99 at the time, married Silver in 2012. At the time, he was 86, and she was only 40. Their marriage has endured for over 13 years, defying skepticism from those who doubted their relationship due to the significant age difference.
Versatile filmmaker Van Dyke was introduced to Silver when he hired her to be the lead makeup artist on one of his productions. Their love story unfolded much later, well after they first met. Looking back on that experience, he remembered, “I had never spoken to an unknown girl in my entire life.” He related the story of how he was literally forced to go up and introduce himself after spotting her backstage at a concert.
“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.’ There’s something about her [that] got me, and I was right.” – Dick Van Dyke
This serendipitous encounter served as a prelude to their future partnership. The two started dating years after that, leaving most shocked that the two had long-lasting chemistry. Van Dyke, for his part, focused on how well their marriage meshed. He found it “eerie” that it works so well, given the age disparity.
The complexities of the actor’s own family dynamics only serves to compound their already tumultuous bond. He has raised four other children, all grown now — Christian, Barry, Stacy and Carrie Beth. They are from his first marriage to Margie Willett, which lasted from 1948 to 1984. Christian, at 74, is the oldest of the siblings. Barry isn’t far behind at 73, while Stacy is 69 and Carrie Beth the baby at 63. This diverse family tree showcases the unique blend of experiences that both Van Dyke and Silver bring to their marriage.
Van Dyke’s decades-long romance with Michelle Triola Marvin lasted from 1976 until her death in 2009. It was a profound experience that shaped his understanding of love and companionship. The bond with Silver has given Tuli a new gusto for life and comfort in his senior years.
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