Margie Willett, best known for her marriage to legendary actor Dick Van Dyke, lived a life that was both private and eventful. Margie and Dick remained married for more than 30 years before divorcing in 1984. Margie passed away in 2008 at the age of 81.
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Early life and background
Margie Willett was born in Danville, Illinois, United States. She was an American citizen of white ethnicity. Despite being married to a famous actor, Margie preferred to stay away from the spotlight, and focused on her family and personal life.
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Marriage to Dick Van Dyke
Margie Willett met Dick Van Dyke in Danville in 1947. After dating for a year, they married on February 12, 1948. Their wedding was unusual; they exchanged vows on a live radio broadcast show called “Bride and Groom.” Due to financial difficulties, the show’s producer sponsored their honeymoon. Dick Van Dyke recalled the moment, “We shared our vows in front of a pastor and two radio microphones while 15 million people were listening!”
Life together and challenges
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Margie and Dick had four children: Christian, Barry, Stacy, and Carrie Beth. They also lost twins to miscarriage. Despite the joys of family life, their marriage faced many challenges. In 1974, Dick told Margie about his affair with his agent’s secretary, Michelle Triola. This revelation led to their separation and eventually their divorce on May 4, 1984, after eight years of separation.
a private life
After her divorce, Margie Willett chose to stay out of the public eye. She did not enter into any further relationships and lived a quiet life until her death. In contrast, Dick Van Dyke continued his relationship with Michelle Triola Marvin until her death in 2009. In 2012, he married Arlene Silver, who is a makeup artist and 46 years younger than him. Dick commented on their age difference, saying, “We don’t feel the age difference. I’m emotionally immature and Arlene is very wise for her age, so we meet in the middle.”
Children of Margie and Dick Van Dyke
Margie and Dick’s children have also led remarkable lives. Their first child, Christian Van Dyke, was born on May 13, 1950. He appeared on “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” but later pursued a career outside of showbiz. Christian became a lawyer and worked as a marketing director for Nike USA. He and his wife, Carolyn A. Heller, had a daughter named Jessica Lee, who tragically died of a rare disease in 1987 at the age of 13. They also have two more children.
Born on July 31, 1951 in Atlanta, Barry Van Dyke followed in his father’s footsteps and appeared in several TV series and films, including “Diagnosis: Murder”, “Remington Steele” and “Heavenly Deposit”. Barry married Mary Carey in 1974 and they have four children: Carey, Taryn, Wes and Shane.
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Born on August 27, 1962, Carrie Beth Van Dyke also tried her hand at acting. She appeared in two episodes of “The New Dick Van Dyke Show” in 1971. Carrie Beth is married to Kevin McNally and they have two children.
The youngest Stacey Van Dyke also acted for a while. She appeared in “The New Dick Van Dyke Show” and “Diagnosis Murder: Town Without Pity.” Stacey is married to Mike Breen and has two children, one of whom is a son, Ryan.
Margie’s later years and legacy
Margie Willett lived a private life after her divorce from Dick Van Dyke. She died of pancreatic cancer in 2008 at the age of 81. Despite being separated for a long time, Dick Van Dyke expressed sadness at her death. He said, “Even though we were divorced for a long time, with her death, I lost a part of myself.”
final thoughts
Margie Willett’s life, though largely private, was deeply intertwined with that of one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors. Her marriage to Dick Van Dyke brought her into the public eye, but she chose to live quietly. Her legacy lives on through the memories shared by her children and those who knew her. Her story is a reminder of the human experiences behind the glamour of Hollywood.
Source: https://th-xuyenmoc.edu.vn
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