Dick Van Dyke and Arlene Silver Mark 14 Years of Marriage with Intimate Instagram Live
Hollywood icon Dick Van Dyke and his wife, makeup artist Arlene Silver, have joyfully celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary. The couple, who tied the knot on February 29, 2012—a leap year—commemorated the milestone with a heartfelt Instagram Live session over the weekend, offering fans a glimpse into their enduring romance.
A Leap Year Union and a Digital Celebration
Van Dyke, the 100-year-old lifelong entertainer, joined his 54-year-old wife for the live broadcast, where they engaged with followers while lying side by side in bed. Silver captured the moment in a caption, writing, '14 year anniversary with my very special guest ❤️❤️❤️.' She introduced her husband to viewers, announcing, 'I have a very special guest today to celebrate a very special day. My husband is here!'
During the session, Van Dyke humorously addressed his posture, teasing, 'I'm not really shorter, I'm just lying down on the bed,' before warmly greeting the audience with, 'Hi, she's mine!' Silver actively interacted with fans, reading comments and answering questions, creating an intimate and lively atmosphere.
A Serendipitous Meeting at the SAG Awards
Reflecting on their love story, Van Dyke recounted their first encounter in 2006 at the SAG Awards. He described sitting alone in the green room when he spotted Silver approaching. 'One thing about Hollywood actresses, they're pretty heads on stick figures. So I know them in a minute. I was sitting there just by myself, all of a sudden I see this vision approaching me. No stick figure, gorgeous!' he shared.
Van Dyke recalled being spontaneously drawn to her, saying, 'I never thought of getting up, I never thought of speaking – [but] I found myself standing on my feet saying, "Hi, I'm Dick."' He invited her to sit down, and after learning she was a makeup artist, he hired her on the spot, sparking a relationship that would blossom into marriage.
Family Reflections and a Youthful Spirit
The Hollywood veteran, who shared four children with his late ex-wife Margie Willett—Christian, 75, Barry, 74, Stacy, 70, and Carrie, 64—opened up about his early career struggles. In a past interview with People magazine, he admitted that his focus on acting and hosting sometimes led to neglecting family life. 'In the beginning I was [raising] in a family with no money, so the whole thing was getting some money together and getting a home,' he explained, adding, 'They probably got neglected at some point, because I was really working hard to get out of poverty, so to speak, but I haven't had any complaints from anybody.'
Van Dyke also praised Silver for keeping his spirit young, stating, 'She's responsible for keeping me in the moment. She kept me happy every day of my life, every day. She's a joy. She can get me singing or dancing and she carries so much responsibility... I'm just lucky.'
Life Lessons and Lost Opportunities
During a Q&A at a Dick & Arlene Van Dyke Present Vandy Camp event in July, the filmmaker reflected on his long life and the friends he has outlived. He revealed that he and his late friend Ed Asner had planned to remake The Odd Couple before Asner's death at age 91 in August 2021. 'That would've been such fun, and we lost it. I've lost a lot of friends,' Van Dyke noted.
Silver added, 'He's outlived everybody. That's the curse of living to almost 100.' When asked about staying positive despite these losses, Van Dyke responded with gratitude, saying, 'Well, life's been good to me. I can't complain.' This anniversary celebration not only highlights their love but also Van Dyke's enduring optimism and legacy in entertainment.
