Margie Willett was the first wife of legendary American actor Dick Van Dyke, married to him for 36 years before their divorce in 1984. She stayed away from the Hollywood spotlight throughout her life, choosing privacy over fame even as her husband became one of the most recognisable entertainers in America. Her story matters because it reveals a side of Dick Van Dyke’s life that rarely made headlines: a long marriage, four children, shared struggles with addiction, and a quiet woman who never sought celebrity for herself. This article explores her early life, her marriage, her family, and the legacy she left behind.
Margie Willett: Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Margie Willett (also spelled Margerie Willett) |
| Known For | First wife of actor Dick Van Dyke |
| Born | 1927, Danville, Illinois, United States |
| Died | 2008, aged 81 (pancreatic cancer) |
| Marriage | Married Dick Van Dyke on 12 February 1948; divorced in 1984 |
| Children | Christian, Barry, Stacy, and Carrie Beth Van Dyke |
| Occupation | Worked at her family’s furniture business in Rosenberg, Texas |
| Personality | Private, artistic, and averse to public attention |
| Notable Fact | Married Dick Van Dyke live on the radio show Bride and Groom, heard by roughly 15 million listeners |
| Legacy | Remembered as a devoted mother whose children continued the Van Dyke family’s entertainment legacy |
Who Was Margie Willett?
Margie Willett was an American woman born in 1927 in Danville, Illinois. She is best known as the first spouse of actor and comedian Dick Van Dyke, star of The Dick Van Dyke Show and Mary Poppins.
Unlike many partners of famous performers, Margie never pursued a public career of her own. She grew up in Danville and remained connected to a simple, private lifestyle even after her husband’s fame skyrocketed in the 1960s.
Early Life and Meeting Dick Van Dyke
Margie and Dick Van Dyke grew up in the same small town of Danville, Illinois, and had known each other for years before romance developed. They began dating around 1945, when Dick was still a teenager building his early career as a performer.
At the time, Margie was reportedly seeing someone else, but she chose to leave that relationship to be with Dick instead. Their courtship grew steadily rather than starting as a whirlwind romance, and it laid the foundation for a marriage that would last more than three decades.
The Unusual Radio Wedding
Dick Van Dyke and Margie Willett married on 12 February 1948 in an unconventional way. Struggling financially and unable to afford a wedding, they accepted an offer from a radio producer working on a show called Bride and Groom.
The couple exchanged vows live on air in front of a minister and two radio microphones, with an estimated 15 million listeners tuning in. In exchange, they received a honeymoon they could never have paid for themselves, a fitting start for a marriage built on modest beginnings.
Family Life and Children
Margie Willett and Dick Van Dyke had four children together:
- Christian, born in 1950
- Barry, born in 1951
- Stacy, born in 1955
- Carrie Beth, born in 1961
The couple also experienced the loss of twins during a pregnancy, a private heartbreak that Margie carried quietly. Despite financial struggles in the early years of their marriage, she focused on raising the children while Dick built his acting career, eventually becoming known as a devoted and hands-on mother.
Struggles Within the Marriage
By the early 1970s, cracks had begun to show in the marriage. In 1972, Dick Van Dyke was hospitalised for treatment of alcoholism, and shortly afterwards, Margie checked into the same hospital for an addiction to prescription antidepressants.
Their shared struggles reflected deeper problems in the relationship rather than causing them outright. Around this period, Margie spent increasing amounts of time at the family’s ranch, away from the pressures of Hollywood, while Dick began a relationship with Michelle Triola, his agent’s secretary, in the mid-1970s.
Separation and Divorce
Dick Van Dyke’s affair with Michelle Triola continued for years before he told Margie the truth in 1976. Even so, the couple did not formally divorce until 1984, ending a marriage of 36 years.
Despite the long separation beforehand, Dick has spoken candidly about how deeply Margie’s later death affected him, describing their bond as something that never fully disappeared even after the marriage ended.
Life After Divorce
Following the divorce, Margie Willett kept away from public life almost entirely. She worked at her family’s furniture business in Rosenberg, Texas, until her retirement, living a modest and private existence far removed from her former husband’s fame.
She never remarried, and details about her later personal life remain scarce, largely because she preferred it that way. Her reluctance to engage with celebrity culture meant she was frequently overlooked at industry events, sometimes even mistaken for Dick’s mother rather than his wife.
Margie Willett’s Death
Margie Willett passed away in 2008 at the age of 81 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Speaking about her death, Dick Van Dyke said that even though they had long been divorced, he lost a part of himself when she died.
Her passing came the year before the death of Michelle Triola, Dick’s long-term partner after the divorce, marking a difficult period for the actor as he lost two significant women in his life within a short span of time.
Margie Willett’s Legacy
Margie Willett is remembered as a devoted mother and a woman who valued privacy over publicity. Her four children, particularly Barry Van Dyke, went on to build careers in the entertainment industry, carrying forward a family legacy that began with her quiet strength at home.
Though she never sought the spotlight, her influence on the Van Dyke family remains significant, shaping the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren long after her passing.
Conclusion
Margie Willett lived a life defined by privacy, resilience, and devotion to family rather than fame. As Dick Van Dyke’s first wife for 36 years, she navigated financial hardship, addiction, infidelity, and eventual divorce, all while raising four children largely away from the public eye. Her story offers a grounded, human counterpoint to her husband’s celebrated Hollywood career, reminding readers that behind many famous names lies a quieter story worth telling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Margie Willett married to?
Margie Willett was married to actor Dick Van Dyke from 1948 until their divorce in 1984. They were together for 36 years and had four children.
How did Margie Willett and Dick Van Dyke meet?
They grew up in the same town, Danville, Illinois, and began dating around 1945 after knowing each other for years. Their romance developed steadily before they married in 1948.
Why did Margie Willett and Dick Van Dyke divorce?
The marriage broke down largely because of Dick Van Dyke’s affair with Michelle Triola, which began in the mid-1970s, alongside struggles both partners faced with addiction. They separated for years before finalising their divorce in 1984.
How many children did Margie Willett have?
Margie Willett had four children with Dick Van Dyke: Christian, Barry, Stacy, and Carrie Beth. The couple also lost twins during a pregnancy.
How did Margie Willett die?
Margie Willett died in 2008 at the age of 81 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Dick Van Dyke later said her death affected him deeply despite their long divorce.
