Who Was Margie Willett? The Untold Story of Dick Van Dyke’s First Wife

You may know Dick Van Dyke from his dancing and singing in Mary Poppins, his smile in The Dick Van Dyke Show, or his amazing energy even in his 90s. But behind his success, there was once a woman named Margie Willett — the woman he loved, married, and shared a big part of his life with.

While Dick became a star, Margie stayed away from the cameras. She lived a private life, far from Hollywood lights. But her story is worth telling. It’s a story of love, family, heartbreak, and strength. In this article, we’ll explore who Margie Willett really was — her early life, her special wedding with Dick Van Dyke, their children, and the ups and downs they went through together.

Let’s begin this true and touching story.

Margie Willett Quick Bio

Who Was Margie Willett?

Margie Willett was not a movie star, not a singer, and not someone you’d see on TV. But she was the first wife of Dick Van Dyke, one of the most loved entertainers in America. That’s how most people know her name.

But Margie was more than just someone’s wife. She was a quiet, kind, and private woman who lived life her own way. Even though she was married to a famous man, she never wanted the spotlight. She liked simple things and stayed far away from the world of fame.

People who knew her say she was strong, calm, and loyal. She raised four children, stayed by Dick’s side through good and bad times, and lived with grace and dignity.

Margie Willett’s Early Life

Margie was born in Danville, Illinois, in 1927. She grew up in a small town with old-fashioned values. Life was simple in Danville. There were no flashing lights, no red carpets — just quiet streets, family dinners, and hard work.

Not much is known about her parents or childhood, but we do know that Margie lived a very private life from the beginning. She never chased fame or money. Even later, when she could have used her husband’s name to get attention, she chose not to. That tells us a lot about her character.

She stayed true to herself, even when life changed around her.

How Margie Willett Met Dick Van Dyke

Margie met Dick Van Dyke in 1947, when they were both very young. They grew up in the same town — Danville — and shared small-town roots. Dick was about 20 years old when they started dating.

At that time, Dick was not famous. He was still trying to figure out his career. He didn’t have much money, and neither did Margie. But they fell in love anyway. It was real, simple love — the kind that starts with deep talks, laughs, and dreams about the future.

They didn’t need fancy dinners or big houses. They had each other, and that was enough.

A Wedding on a Radio Show

Dick and Margie wanted to get married, but they didn’t have the money. They were too broke to afford a wedding or honeymoon. But then something unexpected happened.

A radio show called Bride and Groom offered to pay for everything — if they agreed to get married live on air. The show was very popular at the time. So, on February 12, 1948, they said “I do” in front of 15 million radio listeners.

Can you imagine that? Saying your vows into a microphone, knowing millions of people are listening? But for them, it worked. It was unique and unforgettable.

That day, they became husband and wife — and started a new journey together.

Margie Willett and Dick Van Dyke’s Married Life

In the beginning, life was not easy for the couple. They were poor. At one point, they even lived in their car because they had nowhere else to go. But they stayed together and supported each other through it all.

As Dick’s career started to grow, Margie was always there — behind the scenes. She took care of the home and the kids while Dick chased his dreams. She never liked Hollywood and didn’t enjoy the attention. While Dick was smiling on TV, Margie stayed quiet in the background.

She was a strong partner. She helped raise their family, dealt with fame in her own way, and tried to keep their lives grounded.

Their Children and Family Life

Margie and Dick had four children together:

• Christian Van Dyke, born in 1950

• Barry Van Dyke, born in 1951

• Stacy Van Dyke, born in 1955

• Carrie Beth Van Dyke, born in 1962

They also went through a heartbreaking loss when Margie had a miscarriage and lost twins early in their marriage.

Their children were raised away from the spotlight. Later, Barry became an actor like his father and starred in shows like Diagnosis Murder. Christian became a lawyer. Stacy acted for a short time, and Carrie Beth lived a private life.

Margie loved being a mother and grandmother. She had at least 10 grandchildren, some of whom also stayed out of the public eye. Family was always her biggest priority.

Addiction and Struggles in the Marriage

Even though they looked happy from the outside, Margie and Dick faced deep struggles in their marriage. Fame and stress took a toll on both of them.

Dick started drinking heavily, and Margie became addicted to antidepressants. They both suffered quietly for many years. At one point, they even ended up in the same rehab facility — Dick was checking out while Margie was checking in.

These problems weren’t just about addiction. There were signs of deeper sadness in their relationship. They were slowly drifting apart, even though they still cared for each other.

Why Did Dick Van Dyke Leave His First Wife?

This is a hard but honest part of the story. While he was still married to Margie, Dick Van Dyke started having an affair with a woman named Michelle Triola, who worked as his agent’s secretary.

He kept the relationship secret at first. But in 1974, he told Margie the truth. By that time, they had already grown distant. After his confession, they separated but didn’t officially divorce right away. That didn’t happen until May 4, 1984, eight years later.

It was a painful ending to a long marriage. Margie never spoke to the press about the affair or the divorce. She simply moved on with her life, quietly and with dignity.

Margie Willett’s Life After Divorce

After the divorce, Margie Willett chose to live a very quiet life. She didn’t go to the press or talk about her past. She didn’t try to stay in the spotlight. Instead, she focused on her family and kept her peace.

She never remarried or had any other public relationships. Many say she stayed close to her children and grandchildren. She lived simply and privately, just the way she always liked.

While Dick Van Dyke moved forward with new relationships, Margie stayed strong on her own path. She showed grace, even when things were hard.

Margie Willett’s Death

In 2008, Margie Willett passed away at the age of 81. The cause was pancreatic cancer, which she had been battling for a while. She died quietly, surrounded by loved ones.

Even though they were long divorced, Dick Van Dyke was deeply affected by her death. In his book, he wrote:

“Even though we were long divorced, with her death, I lost a part of myself.”

That says a lot. It shows how important Margie had been in his life. She may not have been famous, but her love and support helped shape one of the biggest stars in Hollywood.

How Margie Willett Became Famous Without Wanting Fame

It’s rare to find someone like Margie Willett. Most people connected to big stars end up in the news or on TV. But Margie stayed far away from all of that.

She never gave interviews. She didn’t walk red carpets. She didn’t try to get attention. And yet, people still talk about her — because of her quiet strength, her story, and the life she shared with Dick Van Dyke.

She became known not because she tried to be famous, but because her story touched people.

Margie Willett’s Net Worth

At the time of her death, Margie Willett had an estimated net worth of $1 million. No one knows exactly how she earned or managed her money. She was never flashy or showy.

Most likely, her wealth came from her divorce settlement or from investments made later in life. But what matters more is how she lived. Margie didn’t care about fame or riches. She cared about peace, family, and staying true to herself.

Even with money, she chose a simple and private life — something very rare in the world of celebrities.

Final Thoughts

Margie Willett may not be a household name, but her story is truly powerful. She lived through love, fame, heartbreak, and healing — all while staying quiet and kind.

She married Dick Van Dyke before he was famous. She raised their children, stood by him during hard times, and let him go when it was time. Even after the pain, she held her head high and moved on with strength.

Margie’s life reminds us that not all heroes live in the spotlight. Sometimes, the strongest people are the ones who stay in the background — giving love, support, and peace without asking for anything in return.

Her story is more than just being “Dick Van Dyke’s first wife.” It’s a story of a woman who chose love, family, and simplicity in a world full of noise.

(FAQs)

What was Margie Willett’s cause of death?

Margie Willett died from pancreatic cancer in 2008 at the age of 81, after quietly battling the illness for years.

Why did Margie Willett and Dick Van Dyke divorce?

They divorced in 1984 after Dick confessed to having an affair with Michelle Triola. They had been separated for 8 years before finalizing it.

How many children did Margie Willett have?

She had four children with Dick Van Dyke — Christian, Barry, Stacy, and Carrie Beth — and also miscarried twins early in the marriage.

How old was Margie Willett when she died, and when was she born?

She was born on November 3, 1927, and died on March 8, 2008, at 81 years old.

What was Margie Willett’s net worth?

At the time of her death, her estimated net worth was $1 million, even though she lived a very private and simple life away from fame.