When you see them dancing on a red carpet or popping up in a quirky TikTok video, the question is almost inevitable: how old is Arlene Silver? Most people know her as the vibrant, talented woman on the arm of Hollywood legend Dick Van Dyke. But because their age gap is one of the most famous in show business, her actual birthdate often gets lost in the "May-December" headlines.
Arlene Silver is 54 years old. She was born on September 21, 1971. In a world where celebrity relationships often flicker out like a cheap candle, her marriage to the Mary Poppins icon has defied every cynical prediction. They’ve been together for nearly two decades and married for fourteen years. Honestly, the number on her driver's license feels like a footnote when you see them together. They act like teenagers.
The Numbers Game: How Old Is Arlene Silver and the 46-Year Gap
Let’s talk about that gap. It’s 46 years. When Arlene and Dick tied the knot on February 29, 2012—yes, a Leap Day wedding—she was 40 and he was 86.
Some people find it shocking. Others find it inspiring. For the couple themselves, it’s basically irrelevant. Dick, who recently celebrated his milestone 100th birthday in December 2025, has joked many times that he is "infantile" at heart. He claims he’s emotionally about 13 years old. Conversely, he describes Arlene as being very wise for her age. They meet somewhere in the middle.
It’s a strange sort of alchemy. While many couples with a half-century age difference might struggle to find common ground, Silver and Van Dyke bond over the basics: singing, dancing, and a shared sense of wonder.
Meeting Backstage: Not Just a Fan
Their story didn't start at a glitzy movie premiere. It started at work. Arlene was a professional makeup artist working the SAG Awards in 2006. She wasn't some star-struck groupie. In fact, she famously admitted that she hadn't even seen most of his work, including Mary Poppins, when they first met.
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Dick saw her walk by and, in a rare moment of boldness, introduced himself. He was 81 at the time. She was 35.
They were friends first. For years, she was a supportive presence in his life, especially after the loss of his long-time partner Michelle Triola in 2009. Arlene would drop by his house after work to bring him dinner or help with the dishes. It wasn't a PR stunt. It was just two people who liked each other’s company.
Life at 54: Beyond the "Wife of" Label
While the internet focuses on her age, Arlene Silver has built a life that is very much her own. She’s a New York native who moved to California to pursue the arts. Beyond being a makeup artist, she is a trained singer and dancer.
If you follow them on social media, you’ve probably seen the Vantastix. It’s an a cappella group Dick formed, and Arlene is right there in the mix. She even directed and starred in a music video for a cover of "Everybody Loves a Lover" by Doris Day back in 2022.
She isn't just a caregiver; she's a creative partner.
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Addressing the Critics
You can't have a 46-year age difference in the public eye without some side-eye. People said it wouldn't last. They assumed she was after his money or he was having a late-life crisis. Arlene has been candid about her initial fears. She knew what the world would think.
But as she told People magazine, "People the same age don't last." Their marriage has outlived many "traditional" Hollywood unions. The secret? They don't live in the past. They live in the moment.
Health, Longevity, and the Silver Effect
There is a legitimate scientific curiosity about how Dick Van Dyke is still so mobile and sharp at 100. He credits a lot of it to Arlene. He says she's the one who gets him up and moving every day.
Whether it's hitting the gym together or tap dancing in the kitchen—which she reportedly does while doing the dishes—she provides a level of vitality that is infectious. Arlene isn't just "young" by comparison to a centenarian; she's genuinely high-energy.
What We Can Learn from Their Relationship
Their story pushes back against the rigid "rules" of aging and romance. Arlene’s age doesn't define her role in the relationship any more than Dick’s age defines his.
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- Friendship first: They spent six years as friends before getting married.
- Shared interests: You’ve got to have something to talk about when the dancing stops.
- Humor: They both refuse to take life—or their age—too seriously.
Looking Forward
As Arlene Silver navigates her mid-50s, she remains one of the most intriguing figures in the celebrity world. She has managed to maintain a sense of privacy while being the backbone for one of the world's most beloved entertainers.
When people ask "how old is Arlene Silver," they are usually looking for a scandal. What they find instead is a pretty standard, albeit chronologically unusual, love story.
If you're looking for actionable insights from Arlene's life, look at her approach to transition. She transitioned from a behind-the-scenes professional to a performer and partner with grace. She didn't let public opinion dictate her personal happiness.
Next Steps for Readers:
To see the dynamic for yourself, check out their joint TikTok account (@mrvandyke). It’s a masterclass in how to ignore the calendar. If you’re interested in the professional side of her life, look up her work with the Vantastix to see how she’s blended her career with her personal passions.