Dick Van Dyke recently shared insights into his marriage with his wife, Arlene Silver, who is significantly younger than him, and how they navigate their differences.
Approaching his 100th birthday this December, Van Dyke discussed why his relationship with Silver, who is 54, is successful.
The couple first crossed paths backstage at the SAG Awards in 2006, where Silver was employed as a make-up artist. They later married in a private Malibu ceremony in 2012.
In a conversation with People related to the upcoming release of his book, 100 Rules For Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life, the actor shared the key elements that make his marriage endure.
Van Dyke remarked: “We thought it might be [a problem] in some regard, to some extent, but it hasn’t really. I’m infantile to start with.”
“I think I’m about 13, so that’s been a problem and she’s quite mature for her age, so I don’t think we haven’t had any problem with age at all.”
The couple has previously mentioned how the age gap has brought them closer and why they connect so well.
In April, Silver expressed: “We just care about each other so much.”
Van Dyke added: “Everybody said it wouldn’t work,” to which Silver responded: “Yeah. I mean it’s like eerie how well it works. People the same age don’t last.”
The Mary Poppins actor also emphasized how his wife helps him feel youthful despite his advancing years.
In his recent interview, Van Dyke stated: “She’s responsible for keeping me in the moment.
“She’s kept me happy every day of my life, every day. She’s a joy. She can get me singing or dancing and she carries so much responsibility … I’m just lucky.”
His upcoming book details more about Silva’s positive impact on his life.
“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,” he disclosed.
“Every day she finds a new way to keep me up and moving, bright and hopeful and needed.”
Van Dyke attributes his relatively youthful look and spirited demeanor to both his wife and maintaining a ‘positive attitude’.
In 2023, while appearing on an episode of The Masked Singer, he was queried about his youthful energy.
Van Dyke told Yahoo: “Genes, I guess, for one thing.”
He commented further: “Having a beautiful young wife half my age to take care of me – that works!”
Clearly, Van Dyke holds deep appreciation for the positive role his wife plays in his life.