Dick Van Dyke Addresses 46-Year Age Gap With Wife Arlene Silver

Dick Van Dyke Addresses 46-Year Age Gap With Wife Arlene Silver

I’ve always believed that love knows no boundaries, not even age. As someone who has been in a relationship with a significant age difference, I can attest to the complexity and beauty of such a connection. Sienna Miller and Oli Greenberg, or Jeff Bridges and Emilie Morrison, are just a few examples of famous couples who have defied societal norms and found love despite their age gaps.


For Dick Van Dyke, his age is truly just a number. 

I’m a devoted fan, and lately, the amazing 98-year-old gentleman I follow has revealed some insights into how he maintains a joyful partnership with his beloved wife Arlene Silver, who is just 52 years old.

“According to Dick, as he shared with Entertainment Tonight in a July 16 article, he consider himself lucky for not having grown up too fast. ‘It was supposed to be this way for us,'”

Surprisingly, Julie Andrews, the beloved “Mary Poppins” actress, didn’t realize that her longtime partner, Eric Marvin, who passed away in 2009 and was previously married to Margie Willett, was more than three decades younger than her when they initially met at the 2006 SAG Awards.

The “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” actor shared that he had never spoken to a stranger woman before in his life. But one day, as she passed by, I surprised myself and introduced myself, saying “Hi, I’m Dick,” unaware that she was much younger than I assumed, finding her incredibly beautiful.

Later on, Dick employed his future spouse as his makeup artist. It was only natural that they developed a connection, leading them to become good friends over time. Eventually, their friendship blossomed into a romantic relationship several years down the line.

Arlene acknowledged that her friends were understanding since the couple had known each other for a long time. However, she herself felt apprehensive at first.

She pointed out, “Our age difference is a fact, but it truly doesn’t matter. When you observe us as a couple, you seem to overlook this detail.”

In 2011, the pair chose to live together despite some people’s disapproval, and they eventually got married in 2012. Arlene also mentioned connecting deeply with her significant other.

Dick Van Dyke Addresses 46-Year Age Gap With Wife Arlene Silver

She exclaimed, “I’ve never encountered anyone quite like him. He’s perpetually cheerful and optimistic. Constantly humming tunes, while I’d never dream of singing in public. He coaxed me into performing, even on a stage in front of 1500 people for the first time. His joy is infectious.”

As for how Dick manages his youthful spirit? 

He frequently pondered, “What is it that I’ve done to make it this far in life?”, but couldn’t identify an answer. The one consistent factor, he acknowledged, was his commitment to regular exercise. We still attend the gym three times a week and maintain an active workout routine. I believe this may be the key, as I don’t pay much attention to my diet or other health-related habits, yet I manage to stay slim.

Additionally, Arlene’s kind of love certainly won’t do any harm. Carry on reading to discover what other famous figures have to say about their age difference romances.

Dick Van Dyke Addresses 46-Year Age Gap With Wife Arlene Silver

It’s not uncommon for people to disregard comments about the significant age difference between two actresses in a relationship. For instance, Sarah expressed this sentiment when she spoke to Modern Luxury in 2018 regarding her relationship with Holland: “If someone chooses to label my feelings for the remarkable person I’m with as strange, that’s their perspective. I’m content with how things are.”

Dick Van Dyke Addresses 46-Year Age Gap With Wife Arlene Silver

Heidi Klum, the previous host of “Project Runway,” brushes off criticism regarding her age difference from Tokio Hotel guitarist’s side. In an interview with InStyle in 2018, she acknowledged the frequent queries about their age gap but shared that she seldom ponders over it. Married to Tom Kaulitz since the following year, Heidi emphasized the importance of living happily and not being overly concerned about people’s opinions, as worrying might cause additional wrinkles.

Dick Van Dyke Addresses 46-Year Age Gap With Wife Arlene Silver

Simultaneously, the actress from Quantico has pointed out a inconsistency. She remarked that there’s much criticism regarding her being 10 years older than the Jonas Brothers singer. However, she observed that this wouldn’t be an issue if their ages were reversed. As Priyanka shared with InStyle, “We faced a lot of backlash and continue to do so. I find it fascinating when you reverse the situation and the man is older – not only is it accepted but people actually prefer it.”

Dick Van Dyke Addresses 46-Year Age Gap With Wife Arlene Silver

In a 2024 interview with The Guardian, the director of Fifty Shades of Grey remarked that her 23-year age difference with the Kraven the Hunter actor is not an issue in their daily lives. She stated, “We hardly ever think about it. People bring it up because they’re curious or because they don’t know us well. After being together for over a decade, we believe that the age difference isn’t significant.” Sam further added that her current relationship with Aaron has endured longer than her previous marriage to Jay Jopling, who is only a few years older than she is. Consequently, she emphasized, “If you look at it from that perspective, then the age gap holds no importance.”

Dick Van Dyke Addresses 46-Year Age Gap With Wife Arlene Silver

Although my husband and I celebrate our birthdays on the same day (Sept. 25), our calendars don’t align in terms of age. With any relationship, there will be challenges. However, what remains consistent is our love and respect for each other.

Dick Van Dyke Addresses 46-Year Age Gap With Wife Arlene Silver

The Parent Trap alum may argue that the only ones who should be focused on his relationship with the Bonniedale Films cofounder is them. T-H-E-M, them. Get the picture?

Still, Dennis indicated he and Laura are unfazed by any attention around her being 39 years younger. 

“We just don’t even notice it,” he told Today in 2021 about their age difference. “We’ve never related to someone in my life better than we do. We have such a great relationship. And love finds a way, wherever it is. And you never know, when love is coming, who that’s going to be. And you have no control over it. And we just couldn’t be happier.”

Dick Van Dyke Addresses 46-Year Age Gap With Wife Arlene Silver

In the past, I used to criticize couples with significant age differences based on my biased assumptions. I would label the older partner as preying on younger women who had nothing to offer but their youth, while dismissing the younger partners as gold diggers seeking financial gain. This was my perspective until I found myself in a relationship with a man 26 years my senior.

Dick Van Dyke Addresses 46-Year Age Gap With Wife Arlene Silver

In the past, I found myself in a dilemma with my partner who is much younger than me. I was worried about the age difference making me feel older and less vibrant. However, I soon realized that this remarkable woman was truly exceptional. Despite our age gap, I couldn’t afford to let go of such a precious connection.

Dick Van Dyke Addresses 46-Year Age Gap With Wife Arlene Silver

As someone who has had my fair share of unconventional relationships, I can relate to the sentiment expressed by Sienna and Oli. Love knows no bounds, and age gaps or societal expectations should not dictate the happiness and connection two people share. Their relationship may be puzzling to some, but it’s essential to remember that everyone’s experiences and perspectives are unique. As long as there is mutual respect, understanding, and love, who are we to judge? It’s their journey, and they seem content with the joy it brings them.

Dick Van Dyke Addresses 46-Year Age Gap With Wife Arlene Silver

The Jurassic Park star recalled a lighthearted moment with his Olympian wife, who is 30 years his junior.

“I said, ‘Which Beatle would I be if I was one of the Beatles?'” he remembered on The Hoda Show. “She said, ‘Rex Harrison.’ I said, ‘Wait a minute, I know we saw that My Fair Lady yesterday. I think you’re thinking of that.'”

However, Jeff noted it didn’t take Emilie long to realize she meant George Harrison

“So there’s that kind of thing,” he noted of the couple’s age gap. But other than their differing cultural touchpoints, he continued, life together is “so far so good.”

Dick Van Dyke Addresses 46-Year Age Gap With Wife Arlene Silver

As an obsessed fan, I can totally understand and appreciate the model’s perspective. In her own words from her 2013 interview with Glamour, she expressed, “The depth of his wisdom and power truly inspires me, and it’s something that comes with age.” She continued, “Our connection transcends numbers on a birth certificate. The passage of time doesn’t diminish the significance of having someone at home who believes in you unconditionally and cherishes you deeply. That support keeps us both going, through the ups and downs of our careers.”

Dick Van Dyke Addresses 46-Year Age Gap With Wife Arlene Silver

Regarding any criticism about the large age difference between her and her partner being the composer, Katharine expressed on Dr. Berlin’s Informed Pregnancy Podcast in 2023, “At first, I understood the judgement, but looks can be deceiving. What truly matters is that I’m deeply in love with our unique love story.”

Dick Van Dyke Addresses 46-Year Age Gap With Wife Arlene Silver

“Kristin has made it clear that the age difference between her and Mark Estes, who is 13 years younger than her, is not a defining factor for their relationship. She never planned to date someone so young and was initially skeptical about it. However, she recognizes that people are complex beings with unique experiences and upbringings that contribute to their maturity level beyond just their age.”

Dick Van Dyke Addresses 46-Year Age Gap With Wife Arlene Silver

“When the Oscar-winning heartthrob began to harbor feelings for the brilliant barrister, I wasn’t certain she’d reciprocate. After all, our age difference was significant. I couldn’t help but wonder if she found me appealing or just an older gentleman. But as it transpired, she felt the same way and we exchanged vows in 2014.”

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2024-07-17 17:48