Margie Willett wasn’t just the first wife of a television legend – she was a small-town girl who found herself thrust into Hollywood’s spotlight while staying true to her Midwestern roots. Born on November 3, 1927, in Danville, Illinois, Margie’s life would become intertwined with one of entertainment’s most beloved figures, Dick Van Dyke. Their 36-year marriage would weather the storms of fame, family challenges, and personal struggles, leaving an indelible mark on both their lives.
Early Life and Background
Marjorie Willett, known to most as Margie, grew up in the heart of Illinois during the Great Depression. Her childhood was typical of many Midwestern families of the era – filled with simple pleasures and strong family values. The daughter of hardworking parents, she learned early on the importance of staying grounded and maintaining strong personal values.
Life in Danville shaped Margie’s character in ways that would later help her handle the pressures of being married to a celebrity. She was known for her down-to-earth nature and practical approach to life, traits that would both complement and contrast with her future husband’s showbiz personality.
Young Margie attended local schools and was active in her community, though she never sought the spotlight herself. Instead, she was content with a quieter life, something that would later create an interesting dynamic in her marriage to a future star.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Marjorie Willett |
| Date of Birth | November 3, 1927 |
| Place of Birth | Danville, Illinois, United States |
| Date of Death | 2008 |
| Cause of Death | Pancreatic cancer |
| Age at Death | 81 years old |
| Marriage Date | February 12, 1948 |
| Duration of Marriage | 36 years (1948-1984) |
| Number of Children | 4 |
| Spouse | Dick Van Dyke |
Meeting Dick Van Dyke
The story of how Margie Willett met Dick Van Dyke reads like a small-town romance. They were teenagers when their paths crossed in Danville, Illinois. Dick was a lanky, ambitious young man with dreams of entertainment stardom, while Margie was a practical, level-headed local girl.
Their early courtship was simple and sweet, marked by local diner dates and community events. Dick was already showing his entertainment talent, working as a radio announcer, while Margie supported his dreams with steady encouragement.
Nobody could have predicted that their teenage romance would lead to a 36-year marriage that would weather the storms of Hollywood fame and personal challenges.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | December 13, 1925 |
| Birthplace | West Plains, Missouri |
| First Marriage | Margie Willett (1948-1984) |
| Children with Margie | Barry, Carrie Beth, Christian, Stacy |
| Grandchildren | Carey, Wes, Shane, Taryn, Jessica Van Dyke |
| Great-grandchildren | Ava, Gracie, Jane, Mia, Alex Van Dyke |
Marriage to Dick Van Dyke
On February 12, 1948, Margie Willett and Dick Van Dyke tied the knot most unusually. The couple was so short on funds that their wedding was broadcast on the radio show “Bride and Groom,” which paid for their rings, honeymoon, and household items.
Soon after their wedding, the couple faced their first challenge when Margie experienced a miscarriage in late 1949. However, they supported each other through this difficult time, and soon their family began to grow.
Their early married years were marked by Dick’s struggling career and Margie’s unwavering support. She believed in his talent even when success seemed far away.
Family Life
Margie and Dick were blessed with four children: Barry, Carrie Beth, Christian, and Stacy Van Dyke. As a mother, Margie worked hard to create a normal childhood for her kids despite their father’s growing fame.
The Van Dyke children grew up to have successful lives of their own. Barry Van Dyke followed in his father’s footsteps into acting, while the other children pursued various careers. The family expanded to include grandchildren Carey, Wes, Shane, Taryn, and Jessica Van Dyke.
Later, the family tree would grow even further with great-grandchildren Ava, Gracie, Jane, Mia, and Alex Van Dyke, though Margie’s relationship with the extended family would be complicated by her later divorce from Dick.
Life in the Spotlight
When Dick’s career took off with “The Dick Van Dyke Show” in the 1960s, Margie found herself thrust into a world she never sought. Unlike many Hollywood wives, she stayed away from the glamorous side of show business.
Pictures from this era show a woman who seemed slightly uncomfortable with the attention, yet she supported her husband’s career without complaint. A notable 60s candid photo of Dick Van Dyke and his wife Margie Willett captures their contrasting personalities – him comfortable in the limelight, her more reserved.
Margie preferred to focus on raising their children and maintaining a sense of normalcy at home, while Dick became one of television’s biggest stars.
Personal Challenges
Behind the scenes, Margie faced several personal battles. The pressure of being married to a famous entertainer took its toll, and she struggled to find her place in the Hollywood world that her husband inhabited.
She dealt with these challenges privately, maintaining her dignity and protecting her family’s privacy. These struggles would eventually contribute to the difficulties in her marriage.
The contrast between her private nature and the public demands of her husband’s career created an ongoing tension in their relationship.
The Arizona Years
In an attempt to find peace away from Hollywood’s chaos, Margie spent considerable time in Arizona. This period marked a significant change in her marriage to Dick, as they began living increasingly separate lives.
The desert state offered Margie the quiet and privacy she craved, away from the constant attention that came with being Dick Van Dyke’s wife. However, this physical separation would eventually take its toll on their marriage.
Their time apart grew longer, and though both tried to maintain their connection, the distance proved challenging.
Marital Difficulties and Separation
The strains of Hollywood life, personal struggles, and growing apart led to serious problems in their marriage. Both Margie and Dick faced their own battles – him with alcohol and her with prescription medication dependency.
They tried to work through their issues, but the gap between their worlds grew wider. Dick’s career kept him in California, while Margie preferred the quieter life in Arizona.
Their separation became more formal as time went on, though they attempted to keep their family unit intact for their children’s sake.
Divorce
After 36 years of marriage, Margie Willett and Dick Van Dyke divorced in 1984. The end of their marriage marked the close of a significant chapter in both their lives.
The divorce was handled privately, away from the media spotlight that had often complicated their marriage. Both parties maintained their dignity and focused on their family’s well-being during this transition.
Their split, while sad, was amicable, and they maintained respect for their shared history and the family they had built together.
Later Years
After her divorce, Margie continued to live a quiet life away from the public eye. She focused on her well-being and maintained relationships with her children and grandchildren.
She never remarried, choosing instead to live independently and focus on her family relationships. While Dick would later marry Arlene Silver, Margie remained single.
These years were marked by a simpler lifestyle, more aligned with her natural preferences away from Hollywood’s glamour.
Health Struggles and Passing
In her final years, Margie Willett faced her greatest challenge when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She approached this battle with the same quiet strength that had characterized her entire life.
Sadly, she passed away in 2008 at the age of 81. Her death affected not only her immediate family but also her former husband, who had remained respectful of their shared history throughout the years.
Her legacy lives on through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who remember her as a strong, dignified woman who faced life’s challenges with grace.
Conclusion
Margie Willett’s story is more than just that of a celebrity’s first wife. It’s a tale of a woman who maintained her identity and values while married to one of television’s biggest stars. Her life reminds us that behind every public figure, there are private struggles and quiet strengths.
Though she never sought fame, Margie’s influence on Dick Van Dyke’s early career and their children’s lives was significant. Her legacy lives on through their four children, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, each carrying a piece of her steady, grounded nature.
In the end, Margie Willett’s story teaches us that true strength often lies not in the spotlight, but in the quiet dignity with which we face life’s challenges.
