Legendary actor Dick Van Dyke, renowned for his role in “Mary Poppins,” was recently seen in high spirits wearing a “Spoonful of Sugar” sweatshirt. At 96, Van Dyke continues to impress with his commitment to fitness, as evidenced by his attire following a gym session with his wife, Arlene Silver, in Malibu, California. The couple, who celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in February, were heading to lunch after a workout.
Dick Van Dyke, who also starred in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” maintains a rigorous fitness regime, working out three times a week. In a 2019 interview with Closer Weekly, he shared his secrets to staying active at his age, which include water aerobics, weightlifting, and treadmill walking. He attributes his enduring health to good genetics and a continuous drive to keep moving. “I get in the pool and exercise. At my age, they say to keep moving. Put me on solid ground and I’ll start tapping,” Van Dyke told the magazine.
His marriage to Arlene Silver, who is 46 years his junior, is described by Van Dyke as a “great experiment.” The couple first met in 2007 at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, when Van Dyke was 81 and Silver was 35. Their friendship evolved into a romantic relationship, leading to their marriage. Silver, speaking to Closer Weekly, expressed her admiration for Van Dyke, calling him “the most perfect human being” and “like a happy pill.”
The relationship has garnered positive reactions from Van Dyke’s fans, with the actor noting the lack of any negative feedback regarding their age difference. “I thought there would be an outcry about a gold digger marrying an old man, but no one ever took that attitude,” he commented.
The couple’s affection for each other was evident in a video they shared on Valentine’s Day, where they danced to a cover of the 1958 Doris Day song “Everybody Loves a Lover” performed by Silver’s band, Arlene & the Vantastix.
Dick Van Dyke was previously married to Margie Willett, with whom he had four children, before they divorced in 1984. He also shared a long-term relationship with actress Michelle Triola until her passing in 2009. Van Dyke’s continued vitality and joyful approach to life remain an inspiration to many, underscoring his status as an icon of the entertainment industry.
