The Surprising Truth: How Many Times Has Dick Van Dyke Been Married?

The legendary Dick Van Dyke, a true icon of American entertainment whose career spans over seven decades, has charmed audiences worldwide with his roles in classics like The Dick Van Dyke Show and Mary Poppins. As of today, December 10, 2025, the beloved actor's enduring vitality and long life naturally lead many fans to wonder about the details of his personal life, particularly the number of times he has been married. The straightforward answer is that Dick Van Dyke has been married two times, but the full story of his romantic journey is far more complex and involves a decades-long relationship with a partner he never officially wed, making his personal history as captivating as his on-screen work. This deep dive explores the full timeline of his relationships, the women he loved, and the beautiful family he built.

The narrative of Dick Van Dyke's marriages is a compelling one, marked by a whirlwind start, a turbulent middle chapter, and a surprisingly joyful second act later in life. From his first marriage, which began with a radio stunt, to his current union with a woman decades his junior, his romantic history reflects a life lived fully and authentically. The following sections provide a complete profile of the star and a detailed look at the two official marriages and the significant, un-official relationship that shaped his life for over three decades.

Complete Biographical Profile: Dick Van Dyke

Richard Wayne "Dick" Van Dyke is one of the most celebrated and versatile performers in history, known for his work as an actor, comedian, singer, dancer, and writer. His career has earned him five Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, a Grammy Award, and the Screen Actors Guild's highest honor, the SAG Life Achievement Award. He is one of the few performers to have a star in three different categories on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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• Full Name: Richard Wayne Van Dyke
• Date of Birth: December 13, 1925
• Place of Birth: West Plains, Missouri, U.S.
• Occupation: Actor, Comedian, Singer, Dancer, Writer, Producer
• Years Active: 1947–Present
• Famous Roles: Rob Petrie (*The Dick Van Dyke Show*), Bert (*Mary Poppins*), Dr. Mark Sloan (*Diagnosis: Murder*)
• Siblings: Jerry Van Dyke (Younger Brother, Deceased)
• First Wife: Margie Willett (m. 1948; div. 1984)
• Long-Term Partner (Never Married): Michelle Triola (1976–2009)
• Current Wife: Arlene Silver (m. 2012)
• Children: 4 (Christian Van Dyke, Barry Van Dyke, Stacy Van Dyke, Carrie Beth Van Dyke)

Marriage 1: Margie Willett (1948–1984)

Dick Van Dyke's first marriage to Margie Willett began in a storybook fashion, though it would ultimately face significant challenges. Their relationship started when the future star was still a teenager in Danville, Illinois. They tied the knot in 1948, shortly after Dick's 23rd birthday, in a ceremony that was famously broadcast live on the radio program Bride and Groom.

Margie Willett was a pivotal figure in Van Dyke’s early life, providing stability as his career began to take off. She was by his side through his rise to fame, from his early days in radio and Broadway to his iconic status on television with *The Dick Van Dyke Show* in the 1960s and his film success in *Mary Poppins*.

A Family of Four Children

Over the course of their 36-year marriage, Dick Van Dyke and Margie Willett welcomed four children, who have since built their own lives and careers, often in the entertainment industry.

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• Christian Van Dyke: Born in 1950.
• Barry Van Dyke: Born in 1951, a successful actor who co-starred with his father on *Diagnosis: Murder*.
• Stacy Van Dyke: Born in 1955.
• Carrie Beth Van Dyke: Born in 1961, who has also had acting roles.

Despite the picture-perfect image of the TV star's family life, the marriage began to crumble in the late 1960s and 1970s. Van Dyke has openly discussed his struggles with alcoholism during this period, which put an immense strain on his family life. The couple separated in 1976 and officially divorced in 1984. Margie Willett passed away in 2008 after a long illness.

The Unofficial Chapter: Michelle Triola (1976–2009)

The period between Dick Van Dyke's two official marriages is often overlooked but represents a massive 33-year chapter of his life. After separating from Willett, Van Dyke began a long-term relationship with Michelle Triola, a former dancer and actress.

This relationship began in 1976, and the couple lived together for over three decades, until Triola’s death in 2009. Triola was famously involved in a landmark "palimony" lawsuit against actor Lee Marvin in the 1970s, which brought the concept of non-marital partners' rights into the legal spotlight.

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Van Dyke and Triola never married, but their union was a deeply committed one, lasting longer than his first marriage. Their relationship provided companionship and support as Van Dyke navigated his later career and personal challenges. Triola passed away from lung cancer in 2009, leaving Van Dyke single once again after over 60 years of being in a committed relationship.

Marriage 2: Arlene Silver (2012–Present)

In a wonderful testament to finding love at any stage of life, Dick Van Dyke married his current wife, makeup artist Arlene Silver, in 2012.

The Meeting and the Age Gap

The couple first met in 2006 at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, where Arlene was working as a makeup artist. Despite their initial professional connection, a romance blossomed, and they were married in a small, private ceremony in February 2012.

The most discussed aspect of their relationship is the significant age gap: Arlene Silver is 46 years younger than Van Dyke. At the time of their wedding, Van Dyke was 86 and Silver was 40. However, both have consistently spoken about how age is merely a number and how their shared love of music, dancing, and life keeps their bond strong.

Van Dyke frequently credits Arlene Silver with helping him stay youthful and active, often sharing videos of the couple singing and dancing together on social media. Arlene’s presence has been a clear source of vitality for the nonagenarian star, who continues to perform and even released a memoir, *100 Rules for Living to 100*, promoting a positive outlook on aging.

Summary of Dick Van Dyke's Romantic Timeline

To summarize the question of "how many times was Dick Van Dyke married," the answer is officially two, but his full romantic history includes three major, long-term relationships that spanned over 75 years of his life.

• 1948–1984: Married to Margie Willett (36 years). Status: Ended in divorce.
• 1976–2009: Long-term partner, Michelle Triola (33 years). Status: Never married; ended with Triola's death.
• 2012–Present: Married to Arlene Silver (13+ years and counting). Status: Current wife.

This unique timeline highlights the enduring nature of his commitment, whether through official marriage or a dedicated partnership. His current marriage to Arlene Silver, which has lasted well over a decade, demonstrates that love and companionship can be found and cherished at any age, regardless of conventional boundaries. The star’s transparency about his personal life, including his struggles and his enduring capacity for love, is just one more reason why he remains one of Hollywood's most beloved figures.