Entertainment legend Dick Van Dyke reveals the secret to his happy marriage with wife Arlene Silver

It’s the Hollywood love story that’s surprised almost everyone, except the two people at its centre – icon Dick Van Dyke and his wife Arlene Silver.

The 99-year-old entertainment legend says many doubted their relationship would last due to the 46-year age gap between them.

“Everybody said it wouldn’t work,” Van Dyke told People while promoting the couple’s charity event, Dick & Arlene Van Dyke Present Vandy Camp, which raised funds for the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation (LAEPF) Community Brigade.

The event came about after the devastating wildfires that destroyed areas near Hollywood and forced Van Dyke and his wife to evacuate their Malibu home.

Van Dyke shared that although people were skeptical from the beginning, he and Arlene, 53, have built a strong and joyful bond over the years.

“We get along so well,” he said. Arlene agreed, adding, “We just care about each other so much.”

Ironically, Arlene thought they were more suited together than many couples who were closer in age saying, “it’s like eerie how well it works. People the same age don’t last.”

In previous interviews, the Dick Van Dyke Show star also credited Silver with helping him maintain his positive outlook and live a long and healthy life.

“Having a beautiful young wife half my age to take care of me — that works!” Van Dyke said.

The legendary showman said he gets his “positive attitude from (his) wife” as well, but admitted there’s another element to keeping energetic and fit in age.

“I still go to the gym three days a week and work out. And I advise everybody to do that because that’s what ages people — it’s just a stiffening up and not exercising their muscles and their lungs,” he said.

The two tied the knot in 2012 after first meeting at the 2007 SAG Awards where Van Dyke presented his Mary Poppins co-star, Julie Andrews, with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

-with BANG.