Dick Van Dyke Feared Fans Would Think Wife Was a 'Gold Digger' – He Enjoys Singing & Dancing with Her at Home

Dick Van Dyke has been through some difficult times in his lifetime, including losing two important women to cancer just a year apart. However, years later, the actor appears to be in a happy place as he is peacefully married. Here are the details of his romantic relationships.

"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" star Dick Van Dyke has built a successful career in the entertainment industry, spanning decades. An actor, singer, dancer, and comedian, the icon is easily one of the most talented stars to have graced Hollywood, and his numerous awards are proof.

Meanwhile, away from the spotlight, Dick is living his best life as a husband and father. He is happily married to his wife, Arlene Silver, and the duo's love has lasted for years.

However, before Silver came into Dick's life, the actor was married to his first wife, Margie Willett. Dick and Willett had both grown up together in a small town in Illinois, but it was not until 1945 that their love story began.

At the time, the actor was only 20 years old with no money. The pair dated for three years before tying the knot on an ABC show called "Bride and Groom" in 1948.

Following their wedding, Dick and Willet would go on to welcome four children, Christian Van Dyke, Barry Van Dyke, Stacy Van Dyke, and Carrie Van Dyke. The sextet lived happily as one family for the next couple of years.

However, things began to change when Dick confided in his agent's secretary, Michelle Triola, about his struggles with alcohol addiction and Willett's drug addiction.

Soon, the pair became closer, and their relationship turned romantic. By 1976, Dick opened up to his wife about his affair with Triola, which left Willett heartbroken.

The actor's infidelity greatly affected his marriage, causing it to end. After 36 years of marriage, Dick and Willett finalized their divorce in 1984. Following his failed marriage with Willett, the Hollywood icon continued his romance with Triola.

To the "Mary Poppins" star, Triola was "smart and feisty", unlike Willett. They remained in love for years, during which Dick and Triola discussed getting married and spending forever together.

However, that big day never came for the duo until their relationship ended due to Triola's tragic demise. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009 and eventually passed away that same year after spending her last days in a coma.

Dick Van Dyke Finds Love Again

After a failed marriage and the death of his longtime love, Dick never thought he would find love again. However, life had different plans for him, and he was given another chance at love with Makeup Artist Arlene Silver.

He plans to live up to 100 years as an active actor, with the love and constant support from Silver. In the meantime, the entertainment icon awaits his next role.

The pair first crossed paths in 2007 at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Dick had attended the event to present his co-star, Julie Andrews, with a lifetime achievement award, while Silver was there as a make-up artist.

Coincidentally, she was in charge of the actor's make-up that evening, and while powdering Dick's nose, a conversation ensued. The couple would eventually start dating and were like a match made in heaven.

Even though she was 46 years younger than the actor, Silver cared less about what people would say and more about how she felt about Dick, whom she considered perfect and amazing.

However, Silver's unwavering love for Dick did not stop the show business icon from bothering the public's view of the makeup artist and their relationship.

During a March 2022 interview, the "Diagnosis: Murder" star said he feared that fans would see Silver as a gold digger. In his words (via New York Post):

"I thought there would be an outcry about a gold digger marrying an old man, but no one ever took that attitude."

Years after their relationship began, the couple is still proof that age is just a number when it comes to love. Dick cannot be happier to have a beautiful and loving woman by his side after everything he has been through. He considers Silver as a gift from the heavens. According to the comedian:

"She's just delightful, great cook, and a woman of great patience. She's given me a third life, and I'm tickled to death with it."

Meanwhile, Silver is not only a part of Dick's life, but she's also a part of his children's and grandchildren's lives. The makeup artist once shared a picture of herself posing with her man's kids and grandkids. Undoubtedly, it was a lovely sight.

Silver legally became a part of their lives when she tied the knot with Dick in 2012. Ten years later, the couple is as strong as ever and doesn't appear to be parting soon.

But despite how in love they may appear, there was a time Silver had doubts about their relationship. Silver once confessed.

"I thought… 'There's no way that this could ever work."

However, it did work out for the couple. By February 2023, Dick and Silver will celebrate 11 years of marital bliss. Hopefully, they remain by each other until then and afterward.

Inside Dick Van Dyke's Recent Years

Dick may be 96 years old, but his age does not matter for Silver. During a chat with HuffPost, she revealed that they happily live together and spend their time doing fun things, including singing and dancing.

Overall, Silver wants to make her husband as happy as he makes her. According to the makeup artist:

"I do my best to care for him and make him happy. I just think my being here is making him happy. I cook for him, and I love taking care of him."

Meanwhile, Dick has no intentions of quitting acting, despite being in his 90s. He plans to live up to 100 years as an active actor, with the love and constant support from Silver. In the meantime, the entertainment icon awaits his next role.