Dick Van Dyke is still madly in love with his wife, Arlene Silver.
The 98-year-old comedian spoke passionately about his wife of 12 years, saying they were “meant to be together” in his latest interview with Entertainment tonight Tuesday, reports Page Six.
“I’ve never approached a stranger in my life,” Van Dyke told the newspaper as he sat next to his wife in the couple’s home. “She walked by and jumped up and said, ‘Hi, I’m Dick.’ I didn’t know she was half my age. She’s beautiful.”
The couple met in 2006 while backstage at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Van Dyke saw Silver while he was sitting on the couch.
After obtaining her business card and hiring Silver—who was working as a makeup artist—Van Dyke and Silver began a relationship as friends.
“We’ve been friends for so long that when I tell people I know, they’re happy about it.” [our relationship]“I was scared,” said Silver, 52.
“I mean, the facts, the age gap. But it’s completely irrelevant. I think when you see us together, it’s like you don’t think about it,” she continued.
“I’ve never met anyone like him before. He’s always happy and positive. He’s always singing, and I would never sing in front of an audience.”
“He made me sing. He made me sing on stage and sing in front of 1,500 people for the first time. He’s the most joyful person. He influences everyone to be more joyful and cheerful,” she said.
“I was lucky I didn’t grow up,” Van Dijk added.
Silver moved in with Van Dyke in 2011, just one year before their wedding in February 2012.
At the age of 98, Bye, bye, birdie The star continues to spend time with his wife and remains active.
The couple were spotted heading to a workout ahead of Van Dyke’s 98th birthday last December.
This article originally appeared on Page Six Reproduced with permission.
