Hollywood legend Dick Van Dyke, now approaching his 100th birthday, recently offered a heartfelt look at his enduring marriage to Arlene Silver, crediting their joy-filled bond for keeping him young.
In a âToday” show interview to promote his new memoir, â100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimistâs Guide to a Happy Life,â Van Dyke told host Al Roker that one of the secrets to his long-lasting marriage is found in simple, joyful moments.
Singing and dancing together, Van Dyke said, help him stay feeling like a teenager. âShe just keeps me a teenager,â he said, adding that their shared love of music and fun has helped keep their relationship vibrant and enduring.
A Love That Defied Expectations
Van Dyke and Silverâs connection goes back nearly two decades. They first met in 2006 at the SAG Awards when Silver was working as a makeup artist, and she later explained that she âknew him as a man before I knew him as a performer.â
Their relationship officially turned romantic in 2009 after the death of Van Dykeâs longtime partner, Michelle Triola. The two became engaged in 2011 and were married in 2012.
They have faced skepticism throughout their marriage, largely due to their 46-year age difference â but Van Dyke told PEOPLE that some individuals doubted they would last. âEverybody said it wouldnât work,â he said, to which Silver responded, âI mean it’s like eerie how well it works. People the same age don’t last.â
Love Through Change
Arlene became more than a spouse â sheâs a pillar of support and inspiration.
During the “Today” show interview, she became visibly emotional when talking about the impact Van Dyke has had on her life, calling him âthe greatest human being ever.â
Van Dyke has often praised her adaptability, saying she goes with the flow, loves to sing and dance, and brings lightness and joy into their home.
Their mutual love for singing isnât just a quirk of their relationship â itâs a thread running through their everyday lives.
As Van Dyke nears his 100th birthday, he reflects on life with gratitude. Their relationship â built in later life, under scrutiny, yet deeply genuine â is something he regards as a blessing. Silver, for her part, says she feels more alive and inspired every day they share.
Their marriage is a reminder that age truly can be just a number â and that love, laughter and a little music might be the real secret to growing older (and wiser) together.
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