When Dick Van Dyke first spotted Arlene Silver backstage at the SAG Awards in 2006, he did something he’d never done in his entire life. He walked right up to a total stranger. "Hi, I'm Dick," he said. Simple. Bold. Maybe a little impulsive for an 80-year-old icon, but that moment changed everything.
He didn't know she was half his age. Honestly, he just saw those eyes and felt a spark. Arlene, a makeup artist working the event, didn't even recognize him as the Mary Poppins legend at first. She just saw a charming man with a lot of energy.
Fast forward to 2026, and the pair is still the talk of Malibu. People love to gossip about age gaps. 46 years is a massive jump—no way around that. But if you watch them for five minutes, the numbers start to feel kinda irrelevant.
The Meet-Cute That Turned Into a Decade of Marriage
It wasn't an overnight romance. They were friends first. After that initial meeting, Dick hired Arlene for various projects. They spent years getting to know each other while he was still with his long-time partner, Michelle Triola. When Michelle passed away in 2009, Arlene was the one bringing him food and keeping his spirits up.
By 2011, she moved into his home. They tied the knot on a Leap Day—February 29, 2012.
Why Leap Day? Because it’s fun. Because it’s different. That’s basically their whole vibe. Arlene wore a fuchsia wedding dress instead of white, which tells you a lot about her personality. She isn't interested in the "traditional" path, and neither is he.
Why the Naysayers Were Wrong
"Everybody said it wouldn't work," Dick recently admitted. You can’t blame the skeptics, really. When they married, he was 86 and she was 40. Statistically, the odds were stacked against them. But Arlene often says that "people the same age don't last" either, and she’s got a point.
Their secret? It’s not some deep, philosophical mystery.
They sing. They dance. Every single day.
- Shared Joy: They both love the arts.
- Support: She calls him a "national treasure" and takes care of the logistics he struggles with at 100.
- Youthful Spirit: Dick says he’s "infantile" and never really grew up.
- Maturity: Arlene is often described as the "old soul" of the pair.
Staying Young at 100 with Arlene Silver
Dick Van Dyke turned 100 in December 2025. It’s a milestone that seems impossible when you see him moving. He credits Arlene for a huge chunk of that longevity. She keeps him moving. If he wants to sit on the couch all day, she’s the one nudging him to get to the gym.
He still hits the gym three times a week. That’s more than most 30-year-olds.
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He does a full circuit: sit-ups (Arlene claims he can do 500, though he laughs that off as an exaggeration), leg machines, and upper body work. He hums and whistles between reps. He’s a "Broadway belter" in the weight room. It’s loud, it’s sweaty, and it’s how he keeps the "stiffness" from setting in.
The Reality of Aging Together
It isn't all singing and dancing. 2026 brings the real-world challenges of being a centenarian. Dick has been open about feeling "diminished" at times. His eyesight is failing, making hobbies like origami impossible. He struggles with hearing aids.
There’s a funny, human side to it, though. Arlene will tell him to change his shirt because he spilled blueberries on it at breakfast.
"Polka dots are in again!" he’ll joke back.
That’s the nuance of their relationship. She isn’t just a caregiver; she’s a partner who challenges him and laughs with him. She stepped up recently at a comedy event when he felt under the weather, reassuring the crowd with a warmth that showed exactly why he fell for her.
What Arlene Silver Brought to the Table
Arlene wasn't some starstruck fan looking for a way into Hollywood. She was an accomplished makeup artist who had worked on sets for years. She even appeared in Days of Our Lives in 2023, playing a police officer.
She has her own life, her own career, and her own voice.
She's the one who got Dick to stop worrying about what the public thought. Early on, he feared people would call her a "gold digger." He worried about an "outcry." It never happened. Instead, the public saw a man who was clearly happier, sharper, and more vibrant than he’d been in years.
Lessons From the Van Dyke-Silver Household
If you’re looking at your own relationship and wondering how to keep the spark alive, these two are a masterclass.
- Keep Moving: Physical activity isn't just for the body; it’s for the mood.
- Sing Loudly: Even if you think you’re bad at it. Arlene didn’t use to sing in public, but Dick pushed her until she was performing in front of 1,500 people.
- Ignore the Numbers: Age is a data point, not a destiny.
- Be Best Friends: Romance is great, but the friendship they built between 2006 and 2011 is the foundation for everything they have now.
Taking Action: How to Emulate Their Longevity
You don't have to be a Hollywood legend to live like one.
Start small. Find a partner—or a friend—who challenges you to stay active. If you’re feeling "stiff" or "diminished" by life, look at your daily routine. Are you singing? Are you moving? Are you surrounding yourself with people who see you for your spirit rather than your birth certificate?
The story of Dick Van Dyke and Arlene Silver isn't just a celebrity gossip piece. It’s a blueprint for aging with dignity, humor, and a whole lot of love.
Next Steps for You:
If you're inspired by Dick's fitness routine, you can start by incorporating a simple 10-minute morning stretch or a short walk to keep your mobility high. Focus on finding a "joyful" activity—like dancing to your favorite record—that makes movement feel less like a chore and more like a celebration.