Dick Van Dyke, 98, Melts Hearts While Gushing Over 'Meant to Be' Wife Arlene

For Dick Van Dyke , 98, he was "meant to be" with his wife Arlene Silver , claiming their notable age difference of 46 years is "irrelevant" to their long-lasting love.

The beloved actor, who starred in hits like Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang , spoke about his relationship with his wife in a new interview with ET at their home, saying of their first meeting at the 2006 SAG Awards, "She walked by and I jumped and I said, 'Hi, I'm Dick.' I had no idea she was half my age. Beautiful."

Van Dyke initially hired her, as she was a makeup artist, and they sparked a friendship that later developed into a romance, declaring, "We were meant to be."

Silver had just as sweet words when talking about her husband of 12 years: "I've never met anyone like him. He's always happy and just positive... He influences everybody else to be more joyful, playful." She added that he often sings, and throughout their relationship, he encouraged her to sing as well and eventually take the stage.

As for their age difference, Silver said that although they were friends for a long time before getting together, "I was scared. I mean, the facts, our age difference. But it's so irrelevant. I think when you see us together, it's like you don't think about it."

For Van Dyke's part, he joked, "I was fortunate that I didn't grow up."

The couple got married in Feb. 2012, and celebrated their 12th anniversary this year. Before Silver, Van Dyke was married to Margie Willett between 1948 and 1984, although they were separated long before their official divorce. They had four children together: Christian , Barry , Stacy and Carrie Beth .

Van Dyke also had a long relationship with Michelle Triola , with the two beginning their romance before the actor got divorced. They were together until 2009, when she passed away.

Next: Dick Van Dyke, 98, Makes History at the 2024 Daytime Emmy Awards