Dick Van Dyke, 99, Says Critics Were Wrong About His Marriage to 53-Year-Old Wife Arlene Silver: “It’s Eerie How Well It Works”

At 99 years old, Dick Van Dyke is still dancing through life — and love — with the woman most people thought would never be a long-term match. The Hollywood legend recently opened up about his 13-year marriage to Arlene Silver, 53, and how they’ve continued to defy public doubt, age gaps, and expectations.

“Everybody said it wouldn’t work,” Van Dyke admitted during an event celebrating their shared community work, Dick & Arlene Van Dyke Present Vandy Camp. The couple, who tied the knot in 2012, have been together for nearly two decades, ever since meeting at the SAG Awards in 2006, where Silver was working as a makeup artist. “We get along so well,” he added. “We just care about each other so much.”

Silver, echoing the sentiment, called the relationship “eerie” in how well it functions. “People the same age don’t last,” she said. “We’ve been together almost every day for years.”

Their affection for one another was on full display during the Malibu-based Vandy Camp fundraiser, which supported the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation. Silver called the event a reflection of their partnership: supportive, joyful, and community-minded. “I feel like this Vandy Camp is a great representation of all those things in one event,” she said.

Van Dyke recalled the moment he first met Silver — a memory that still brings a twinkle to his eye. “I never said hello to a strange girl in my life. I was too scared,” he said with a laugh. “But I was at a show backstage and she walked by, and for some reason, I just jumped up and said, ‘Hi, I’m Dick.’ There was something about her that got me — and I was right.”

Despite the nearly five-decade age gap, Silver has said Van Dyke makes her feel like she can do anything. “He’s made me feel like I can do anything,” she said, to which he quickly responded, “And you can.”

Now based in Malibu, the couple enjoys the quieter rhythms of life at home. Their house was damaged by the Franklin Fire but ultimately survived, something Silver says they’re deeply grateful for. “We just love being home. Malibu is our favorite place,” she said. “It’s like we’re hosting people in our own backyard.”

Van Dyke, who’s only months away from his 100th birthday, remains active, upbeat, and outspoken about the joy of growing older with the right person by your side. “Very supportive of each other,” Silver said simply — a sentiment that seems to sum up the strength of their bond.