In a remarkable testament to love transcending age, the legendary Dick Van Dyke, now 99, has taken a stand against the naysayers who question his 46-year age gap with his wife, Arlene Silver.

At a recent Vandy Camp fundraiser in Malibu, Van Dyke shared, "We get along so well. Everybody said it wouldn’t work." His wife, 53, chimed in, highlighting their deep connection: "We just care about each other so much. It’s eerie how well it works." She humorously noted that relationships among couples of similar ages often don’t last.

The beloved Disney star reminisced about their first encounter at the SAG Awards in 2006, admitting he had never greeted a stranger before. "I was too scared," he recalled, but something compelled him to introduce himself, saying, "Hi, I’m Dick." It was a moment that would change both their lives.

Though they eventually began dating years later, Van Dyke initially hired Silver as a makeup artist for his projects. Their bond only strengthened over time, with Silver revealing how Van Dyke inspires her to feel empowered: "He made me feel like I can do anything." Van Dyke enthusiastically affirmed, "And you can."

The couple tied the knot in 2012, when Van Dyke was 86 and Silver was 40, proving that true love knows no bounds. Reflecting on their relationship, he admitted that he hadn’t even realized Silver was decades younger than him when they first met. "I had no idea she was half my age," he said, describing her as "beautiful." He added, "I was fortunate that I didn’t grow up; we were meant to be."

Van Dyke's history includes a previous marriage to Margie Willett from 1948 to 1984, with whom he shares four children: Christian, Barry, Stacy, and Carrie Beth. He also had a significant relationship with actress Michelle Triola Marvin from 1976 until her passing in 2009.