How Dick Van Dyke found again with much younger wife Arlene as he turns 100
Dick Van Dyke has become a centaurian today, having been in the spotlight for more than seven decades. Throughout his illustrious career, the actor has starred in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mary Poppins, Never A Dull Moment and Night at the Museum, to name a few. Today, December 13, marks the star's 100th birthday, and he's bound to be celebrating it with his loved ones, including his beloved wife, Arlene Silver, 54, whom he's been married to since 2012.
The pair met at the SAG Awards back in 2006 when Arlene was working as a makeup artist, and they instantly hit it off. Dick told People: "There was something about her beautiful eyes." Arlene later told the Huffington Post: "We take very good care of each other. But, I'm very aware that I have a national treasure on my hands ... He's the perfect human being, but he's also the perfect partner."
Arlene was there to support Dick after his longtime love, Michelle Triola, died following a battle with lung cancer in 2009. Reflecting on her kindness, Dick said in recent years: "Arlene would come by after work and bring me food. She was such a support, I fell in love."
She moved into Dick's Malibu mansion in 2011, and the pair tied the knot the following year. They married at a private, spur-of-the-moment ceremony near where Dick lives on a leap day at a chapel.
Dick and Arlene's age gapThe actor's publicist told ABC News: "Despite their obvious age difference, Dick has never been happier. She brings a lot of light into his life."
According to various reports, Dick had concerns about how welcoming his family would be towards Arlene initially, given their significant age gap. However, they warmly embraced Arlene, with his grandchildren calling her "Grandma".
He also said his four children, Barry, 74, Carrie, 63, Stacy, 69 and Christian, 75, "just love her".
When asked how Dick wanted to celebrate his 100th milestone, Arlene told People: "He wants to be in his room watching Jeopardy! reruns with me."
She added: "I'm so happy he's here to see what I know is going to be a global celebration of him. I'm so glad he's still with us.
"I've always been celebrating him now, like since 2011 when I got him on social media. It's like a pinnacle of all that is... all these different people from different events we've done, [just] so cool."