Dick Van Dyke Got Lucky In Love For The 3rd Time With Much Younger Woman After Heartbreaking Loss Of Partner Of 35 Years

Jan 23, 2025

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Hollywood actor Dick Van Dyke became one of the most beloved entertainers of his generation with four Emmy Awards under his belt. His career took off with his Tony-winning performance in “Bye Bye Birdie” in 1960, and he became known for roles in classics like “Mary Poppins” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.” 

The seasoned Hollywood actor is also married to a woman almost five decades his junior who gave him a third chance at love. But long before that – and even before the fame – he met his first love, Margie Willet, in Danville, Illinois. 

Their wedding in 1948 was not conventional as they heavily relied on the generosity of a radio host to afford it. In an interview with the Guardian in August 2016, Van Dyke recalled: “So, in 1948 we exchanged our vows in front of a minister and two radio microphones while 15 million people listened!” 

Willett avoided Hollywood glamour, and Van Dyke shared that they “were often mistaken for brother and sister.” Willett miscarried at first, but eventually, their family grew. He proudly stated: “Margie miscarried twins, but went on to have four children who turned out to be truly admirable.”

Another hardship was Van Dyke’s 25-year battle with alcoholism which made home life challenging: “I was an alcoholic for 25 years, which inevitably impacted on family life.” During therapy, he discovered that his wife was struggling with her own antidepressant addiction: “Our addictions were symptomatic of deeper problems in our relationship and we were drifting apart.” 

Amid the rocky marriage, Van Dyke began seeing Michelle Triola, a former actress and legal secretary. He recalled: “She was feisty, smart and, unlike Margie, knew the showbiz world inside out.” After his divorce from Willet in 1984, the affair evolved into a committed partnership, and they went on to have “35 very happy years” together. 

In 2008, Van Dyke’s first wife tragically died of pancreatic cancer. Van Dyke admitted: “I was deeply affected, even though we were long divorced.” 

In 2009, his second long-term partner, Triola, succumbed to lung cancer. After she passed, Van Dyke stated:

“I realized I had never been without a companion looking out for me.”

In 2006, Van Dyke’s dating life took a turn when he met makeup artist Arlene Silver, 46 years his junior, at the SAG Awards. In a July 2024 ET exclusive, he admitted that her beauty struck him, and he introduced himself, something he had “never” done in his life.

He continued:

“And she walked by and I jumped and said, ‘Hi, I’m Dick.’ I had no idea she was half my age. Beautiful.”

Their friendship blossomed into romance after Triola’s death, and by 2011, Silver moved in with him. 

The couple married in 2012. Despite the age gap, Van Dyke shrugged off concerns, saying:

“We don’t feel the age gap... I’m emotionally immature, and Arlene is very wise for her age.”

Silver echoed his sentiment:

“It’s so irrelevant... when you see us together, you don’t think about it.”

Van Dyke’s family was supportive of their coupling, with his son, Christian, ultimately saying: “Dad, I get it.”

Van Dyke credited Silver with bringing new joy into his life, sharing, “...I don’t think I’d even be here... She keeps me in shape, feeds me, and I love her more every day.” 

Silver, in turn, credited him with making her a better person:

“He’s such a great human being... he’s just made me a better person.”

Dick Van Dyke’s story shows us that love, resilience, and joy can flourish at any stage in life, no matter how far it may appear. How has his journey inspired you? Let us know, and then pass this along to fans of the Hollywood star!