Van Dyke opens up on marriage to Arlene and their 46-year age gap

Dick van Dyke says his marriage to Arlene Sent Sent works because their personalities are more than the difference in 46 years.

Van Dyke’s Marriage Secret is ahead of his 100th birthday and the release of his new book, 100 Rules for Living at 100.

We thought it might be [a problem] Some, to an extent, but it really wasn’t,” Van Dyke told PEOPLE.

“I’m a child to begin with. I think I’m 13, so that’s a problem and so she’s very mature for her age, so I don’t think she has a problem with age.”

The two men met at the 2006 Sag Awards, where Silver was working as a makeup artist. Van Dyke said he was surprised as he walked up to her and got to know her. He hired her soon after, and the relationship grew from there. They got married in 2012.

Since then, they have worked together on the joint and the mat, including a 2023 episode of Days of our livesand they display their homes in an annual exhibition, Vandy Manor.

As he looks back on his extraordinary life and future, Van Dyke pays to keep him grounded and happy. “It brings me to this moment,” he said. “It stayed with me every day

Van Dyke shares four children with his ex, Margie Rolett, and was previously in a relationship with Michelle Traola, who died of lung cancer in 2009.