Dick Van Dyke's Love Story: From First Marriage To Finding Happiness With Arlene Silver

For decades, the spotlight has shone brightly on Dick Van Dyke, and for a large part of that time, he was happily married to Margie Willet. Their union lasted an impressive 36 years before they parted ways in 1984. But Dick's story of love didn't end there. In 2012, the iconic actor found new joy with his current wife, Arlene Silver, proving that love can strike at any stage in life.

The Magical Meeting of Dick Van Dyke and Arlene Silver

Love stories often start in unexpected places, and for Dick Van Dyke and Arlene Silver, it was the glitz and glamour of the SAG Awards in 2006. Arlene, working as a makeup artist at the time, vividly remembers the moment she first saw Dick. "I remember seeing Dick at the catering table with his bow tie and his big smile," she shared in a heartfelt 2013 interview with HuffPost. "Right when I sat down, he was sitting next to me. He said, 'Hi, I’m Dick.' The first thing I asked him was, 'Weren’t you in Mary Poppins?’" It was a casual encounter that would eventually blossom into something extraordinary.

At first, Dick and Arlene's connection was purely platonic. "I didn’t really realize how powerful the relationship was becoming. I would come over, but I didn’t want to bother him I guess," Arlene reminisced. "He gets so many people around him I didn’t want to be intrusive, so I would just say I'll come over after work and we'll have dinner, and it turns out he was looking forward to it the whole day." Over time, their friendship deepened, eventually paving the way for romance.

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It took about a year for their bond to evolve into a romantic relationship. By 2012, Dick and Arlene were ready to take the next step, tying the knot and beginning a new chapter of love together.

Arlene Silver: A First Marriage Full of Joy

For Arlene Silver, her marriage to Dick Van Dyke marks her first venture into the world of wedded bliss. "I haven’t been married before so it’s wonderful," she joyfully expressed. "He’s the perfect human being but he’s also the perfect partner. I went through a lot of frogs to get my prince." Their relationship is a testament to the idea that sometimes the best things in life come to us when we least expect them.

The First Chapter: Dick Van Dyke and Margie Willet

Before Arlene came into his life, Dick Van Dyke’s romantic journey was anything but straightforward. In 1976, while still married to Margie Willet, he developed feelings for actress Michelle Triola Marvin. "She was feisty, smart and, unlike Margie, knew the showbiz world inside out," Dick confided to Closer Weekly in a July 2020 interview. Eventually, the truth about their affair came to light, leading Dick and Margie, who shared four children—Christian, Barry, Carrie Beth, and Stacey—to part ways.

Though Dick and Michelle discussed marriage, they never set a specific date. Tragically, Michelle passed away in 2009 after being diagnosed with lung cancer. "When she asked if she was going to die, I pretended I didn’t know — the hardest acting I have ever done," Dick recalled with deep emotion. After her passing, Dick thought his chapter of love had closed for good—until Arlene Silver entered his life. "It happened to me just out of the blue," he admitted.

In December 2023, Arlene stood proudly by Dick’s side as Hollywood celebrated his incredible 98th birthday. Dick has always been deeply grateful for her unwavering support. "My wife brings me a cup of coffee in the morning. I get it in bed. I get treated like a king around here," he told People on his special day. Dick also fondly remembers the first time he met Arlene and decided to ask her out. "I just went up and said, 'Hi, I’m Dick.' I don’t know how I got the courage," he shared. "Anyway, we ended up married. She sings like an angel. She dances, and we do a whole act together. We do duets and things. She’s the best partner I ever ran into. What a pleasure it is."