How Margie Willet spent life with Dick Van Dyke? What Happened to her? Margie is primarily known as the wife of a Hollywood Star – Dick Van Dyke. She was a housewife as per the sources as she preferred to camouflage herself from getting the attention.
In this article, we will walk through the life of Margie and turn the pages of her life to get a better glimpse of what life could be like from behind the theatrical appearance.
Margie Willet Biography
| Real Name | Margie Willet |
| Birth Date | 1927 |
| Age | 81 years (Upon death) |
| Birth Place | Danville, Illinois, United States of America |
| Death Date | 2008 |
| Cause of Death | Pancreatic Cancer |
| Parents | Not Disclosed |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Height | 5 feet & 4 inches |
| Weight | 55 kg or 121 pounds |
| Net Worth | Not Disclosed |
In 1927, Margie was born in the USA. Very little is known about her parents, siblings, and individual early life. Willet is only known due to her celebrity husband – Dick Van Dyke. She hasn’t done anything herself in order to get the spotlight.
Were Margie Willet & Van Dyke Associated before Marriage?
Margie and Van Dyke belonged to the same town of Danville, Illinois. Due to this fact, they both were familiar with each other since their childhood. But surprisingly, Margie was involved in a relationship with one of her high school fellows at the time.
Going forward, when Margie turned 18 and Dyke turned 20 years of age, they developed a liking for each other. On account of this, Willet decided to ditch his high school relationship and join with Dick Van Dyke.
Unconventional Marriage Contract of Margie Willet & Dick Van Dyke
| Husband | Dick Van Dyke |
| Married | February 12, 1948 |
| Divorce | 1984 |
| Children | 4 Children (In order)Christian Van DykeBarry Van DykeStacy Van DykeCarrie Beth Van Dyke |
After 3 years of dating, Willet & Dyke decided to progress into an official relationship. They were absolutely penniless in order to be able to afford a marriage. In 2016, in an interview with “The Guardian” Van Dyke uncovered that they were “too broke to get married”.
A courteous radio producer proposed to them to take full responsibility for their marriage cost. He even sponsored their honeymoon as well. But he had a very interesting condition in return, they would have to say their vows on a Radio Show called Bride and Groom. On February 12, 1948, Willet and Dyke fulfilled the stipulated condition.
Van Dyke reminisces about their marriage, where they changed vows with two microphones and a minister. Almost, 15 Million people came online to attend their marriage.
Margie Willet: Life after Marriage & Dyke’s Career
After marriage, times still continued to be tough for the couple. At the time Van Dyke hadn’t gotten any recognition and fame. They both were trying their best to be able to make ends meet. They didn’t even have a home and were forced to live in their car.
At the very beginning, Van Dyke’s Career progressed like a tortoise due to which the conditions remained to stay constant. However, as they managed to get some money they rented a house in Malibu.
During this Chaos, Margie got the good news that her expecting their twins, which was followed by a miscarriage. This heart-wrenching news broke them to pieces. As they were struggling to cope with this news, the progress was also so close to none during their stay in the hospital. Their landlord decided to make them homeless again as they were unable to pay the rent.
Finally, after a short while Dyke’s Career gained enough stardom in order to make him the way he is today, Celebrity!
Who Is Dick Van Dyke?
As of now, Dick Van Dyke is a Hollywood Legend. Willet is the very first wife of Van Dyke. He is known to be a renowned American actor, presenter, and comedian. Van Dyke’s legacy has been ongoing for almost seven decades now.
In 1961 he received acknowledgment for his character in the original production of “Bye Bye Birdie”. He also received a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in Musical. He also appeared in films such as Mary Poppins (1964) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
He also made guest appearances in shows like Columbo (1974), and The Carol Burnett Show (1977). He came up with his own show called “The New Dick Van Dyke Show” (from 1971-1974). He also appeared in Diagnosis: Murder (from 1993-2001) and Murder 101 (2006-2008).
The accolades he has to his name, of them are Golden Globe, Daytime Emmy, Grammy, and 4 Primetime Emmys. He was also admitted to the Television Hall of Fame in 1995. He was awarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012. In 2013, he got the Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. In 2021, he was honored with Kennedy Center Honors.
Margie Willet on Dyke’s Fame
Margie never liked her husband’s fame in the entertainment industry. She disliked going to Hollywood events and she did not want to be in the limelight. She used to feel quite disregarded and ignored at Showbiz events when everybody used to approach Dyke, as mentioned by Van Dyke in an interview with The Guardian.
In the 1960s Margie and Dyke did an investment and bought a ranch away from the city in Cave Creek, Arizona. Later Willet found solace in this ranch far away from the loudness and glamor of city life.
Children of Margie Willett
Christian Van Dyke
The eldest child of the couple, Christian Van Dyke was born in 1950. He did his debut in acting on January 31, 1962, on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” But as a profession and career, he went for Law.
He went to Occidental College in Los Angeles. According to Cascade Business News, he did law at Arizona State University.
Barry Van Dyke
The second child, Barry Van Dyke was born on July 31, 1951. Barry wasn’t allowed by his father to enter the entertainment industry until he got older. Later with much experience and his father’s connections he was able to get some roles as a background artist in numerous films and shows like Galactica 1980, Airwolf, and Casino.
Stacy Van Dyke
The third child of Margie, Stacy Van Dyke was born in 1955. She practiced her acting skills with her father in the roles as Sally on The New Dick Van Dyke Show and Carol Hilton on Diagnosis: Murder and much more.
Carrie Beth Van Dyke
Carrie Beth Van Dyke is the youngest daughter of the couple who was born in 1961. Carrie enjoyed much more of a private life than the rest of the siblings. At the beginning of the 70s, she was spotted on The New Dick Van Dyke Show, in a few episodes.
Margie Willett & Dick Van Dyke Parted Ways
Due to some instability in Margie’s condition, she had to seek help from a rehabilitation center. When she was released, Dyke was already involved in some extra conjugal ties with his agent’s secretary.
In 1976, out of guilt Van Dyke confessed in front of her wife of his infidelity. This took a huge toll on Margie’s heart. Alas! After 36 years of marriage, the divorce was finalized in 1984. Sources confirm that Willett never remarried for the rest of her life.
Willett expired in 2008, one year after her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in 2007 and she was 81 years old at that time.
Conclusion
Margie Willet was the wife of a superstar, but she never strived for stardom herself. She was a supportive anchor for her family. She spent a marriage of 36 years with its highs and lows, at last ending it with a broken heart. Finally, she left this world in seclusion.
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