Margie Willett was the ex-wife of Dick Van Dyke, the famous multi–award–winning American actor, entertainer, and comedian to whom she was married for three decades before they parted ways.
The ex-celebrity wife, who was born on January 30th, 1927, died from pancreatic cancer on March 8, 2008, at the age of 81, leaving her children and even her ex-husband heartbroken. Let’s get to know all about the life of Margie Willett.
Summary of Margie Willett’s Bio
- Full name: Margie Willett
- Gender: Female
- Date of Birth: January 30th, 1927
- Date of Death: March 8, 2008
- Ethnicity: White
- Nationality: American
- Sexual Orientation: straight
- Religion: Christianity
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Margie Willet Children: Christian, Barry, Stacy, and Carrie
- Margie Willett’s Height in Inches: 5 feet 4 inches
- Margie Willett’s Height in Centimeters: 162.56
- Margie Willett’s Weight: 55kg
- Body measurements in Inches: 34-32-36
- Margie Willett’s Net worth: $1 million
- Famous for: Dick Van Dyke’s Ex-wife
Margie Willett’s Biography
Margie Willett was born to her parents, Harry Willet and Olive Smith, on January 30, 1927, in Danville, Illinois, USA. There is not much known information about her background, such as her parent’s occupation, religion, and her early life. As a result, nothing is known about the places and neighborhoods she grew up in. Likewise, it is not clear if she was an only child or had siblings whom she grew up alongside.
Talking about her educational background, there is no available report on the schools where she had her elementary, high school, and college education and the certificates she obtained.
Margie Willet was a very secretive person, and this is proven by the fact that she never disclosed much about herself. As such, there is no information on her professional life, like the career path she chose or what she did for a living. The late ex-celebrity wife was more focused on playing her role as wife and mother. However, she is best known for her marriage to the famous American comedian, actor, and singer Dick Van Dyke.
Margie Willett Became Dan Van Dyke’s Wife in 1949
Willett met Van Dyke in 1948 while they were both working at a CBS television studio in Danville, Illinois, USA. Van Dyke was a 20-year-old aspiring actor struggling to find his footing in the entertainment industry at the time, while Willett was a makeup artist.
When the two met, they became friends and began communicating with each other. As they got to know each other better, they fell in love, got engaged, and married the following year, on February 5th, 1949. They exchanged their wedding vows on a radio show called Bride and Groom in front of a minister and two radio microphones, with over 15 million people watching. It was sponsored by a radio producer.
Willett, who disliked fame and disliked being the center of attention, remained out of the public eye throughout their marriage. She was known to be very supportive of her husband’s career and frequently accompanied him to various events and red-carpet appearances. In fact, it was Margie who persuaded Dick Van Dyke to take the lead role in the television series “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” which became a huge success.
However, despite their best efforts, the couple’s marriage was not without its share of difficulties due to Van Dyke’s alcoholism and the pressures that came with his acting career, which frequently put a strain on their union. Margie battled drug addiction as well, but she later joined her ex-husband, who was also battling addiction, in rehab.
Margie and Dick Van Dyke Divorced After Three Decades of Marriage
The couple separated after 36 years of marriage as a result of Dick having an extramarital relationship with Michelle Triola, who was rumored to be his agent’s secretary. Margie was initially kept in the dark about the relationship until Van Dyke, who could no longer bear the guilt, decided to tell her the truth in 1976.
Margie felt incredibly let down and betrayed, and of course, their marriage was never the same again. In 1984, they finally divorced.
According to information from various sources, Margie never got remarried. She continued to live a very quiet life away from the spotlight until she passed away.
Nevertheless, Van Dyke, in his autobiography titled “My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business,” acknowledged Willet for her support through his struggle with alcohol and helping him to overcome his alcohol addiction.
Meet Margie Willett’s Children With Dick Van Dyke
Margie and Dick Van Dyke were blessed with four adorable children named: Christian, Barry, Stacy, and Carrie Beth.
Christian Van Dyke
Christian is the first child born to Margie and Dick Van Dyke. He was born in 1950, and he followed in his father’s footsteps as he also took to acting, making his debut on January 31, 1962, on The Dick Van Dyke Show. He has also ventured into the corporate world as a corporate counsel for Nike and has also served as a deputy district attorney in Corvallis.
Barry Van Dyke
Margie Willett and Van Dyke’s second child, Barry, was born on July 31, 1951. Just like his elder brother, he also followed in their father’s footsteps and delved into acting. He made his television debut as Florian, a violin-toting nine-year-old in “The Talented Neighborhood” episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show alongside his brother Christian. He also appeared in many other television shows over the course of his long career.
Stacy Van Dyke
Stacy is the third child born to Margie and Dick Van Dyke in 1955. She is also into acting and must have inherited the trait from her father, who has always praised her for her acting skills. She has been featured in movies like The New Dick Van Dyke Show, where she played the role of Sally.
Carrie Beth Van Dyke
Carrie is the fourth and youngest child born to Margie and Dick in 1961. Unlike her siblings, Carrie is a very private person and loves to stay away from the spotlight, which is why much is not known about her.
Who are Margie Willett’s grandchildren?
Willet has more than ten grandchildren, the notable ones among them are Shane, Wes, Carey, Ryan and Jessica.
How old was Margie Willett?
Margie Willett’s age at the time of her death was 81 years old.
What Was Margie Willet’s Cause of Death?
Margie Willett died on March 8, 2008, at the age of 81, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was survived by her children and grandchildren.
After her passing, Dick Van Dyke expressed in an interview how much he missed her and how much he valued their time together. He also spoke of how she gave him a lot of support and assistance, which helped him to stay focused on what was important in life.
Margie’s family and the countless individuals who were touched by her generosity and kindness continue to carry on her legacy.
What was Margie Willett’s Net Worth?
At the time of her passing, Margie Willett was estimated to have a net worth of $1 million. There was no detail of how she got her wealth as she was a private person and never disclosed what she did for a living.
