Dick Van Dyke, 99, Reflects on Neglecting Kids While Escaping Poverty

Dick Van Dyke is taking accountability for ‘probably neglecting’ his kids as he worked to become successful.

The legendary entertainer — who just opened up about his age gap marriage — will turn 100 on December 13, and recently sat down with People to reflect on his long life. 

Dick shared four children with his late ex-wife Margie Willett: Christian, 75, Barry, 74, Stacy, 70, and Carrie, 64.

He told the outlet that his early days of acting and hosting didn’t leave much time for family life. 

‘In the beginning I was [raising] in a family with no money, so the whole thing was getting some money together and getting a home,’ he said, adding elsewhere about his wife and kids, ‘They probably got neglected at some point, because I was really working hard to get out of poverty, so to speak, but I haven’t had any complaints from anybody.’

Ahead of the milestone birthday, he published a book called 100 Rules for Living to 100, in which he looks back on his life and showbiz career. 

Dick Van Dyke is taking accountability for ‘probably neglecting’ his kids as he worked to become successful; pictured in June 2024

Dick shared four children with his late ex-wife Margie Willett – Christian, 75, Barry, 74, Stacy, 70, and Carrie, 64; pictured with his three oldest kids in 1961

As he reared his family, he shared, ‘I bought a home on the GI Bill, finally, but I think the toughest was I did game shows. 

‘I played nightclubs. I did about everything. At one point, I was doing a disc jockey show at 5 in the morning, and then at night I was working with a partner in nightclubs.’

The Hollywood icon continued, ‘I was getting like three or four hours sleep in between, but that’s the only thing I can remember, is working so hard to get going, to get a foothold. After that I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.’

He also expressed gratitude for being able to do a job he loves for so many years.

‘I think of how rare it is that a person gets to do for a living what they love to do,’ he mused. 

‘Most people have to go sit in an office. I never forgot that I look forward to getting up every morning and going to work, because it’s what I would’ve done for nothing,’ the star added.

The comedian praised his wife, 54-year-old Arlene Silver, for keeping his spirit youthful.

‘She’s responsible for keeping me in the moment,’ he said about his spouse, whom he wed in 2012. ‘She kept me happy every day of my life, every day. She’s a joy. She can get me singing or dancing and she carries so much responsibility… I’m just lucky.’

He said his early days of acting and hosting didn’t leave much time for family life; pictured in 1955

Dick pictured in May 2021 at the 43nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors

In May Dick opened up about the reality of living to be a nonagenarian.

The filmmaker reflected on his long life during a Q&A at a Dick & Arlene Van Dyke Present Vandy Camp event.

During the conversation, he revealed he and his late friend Ed Asner had planned to do a remake of The Odd Couple before his death at age 91 in August 2021.

‘That would’ve been such fun, and we lost it. I’ve lost a lot of friends,’ the actor noted.

Arlene added, ‘He’s outlived everybody. That’s the curse of living to almost 100.’ 

When asked by his significant other what the secret to remaining positive is despite his losses, he answered, ‘Well, life’s been good to me. I can’t complain.’