Margie Willett, from Danville, Illinois, was Dick Van Dyke’s first wife. They fell in love quickly in 1947 and got married live on radio on February 12, 1948, because they couldn’t afford a real wedding.
They had four children but faced problems like addiction and cheating, which led to their divorce in 1984.
Margie Willett kept her personal life away from the public. She died in 2008 from pancreatic cancer, but her life was connected to the fame of Dick Van Dyke.
Early Life of Margie Willett
Margie Willett of Danville, Illinois, was the first wife of a famous actor and comedian, Dick Van Dyke.
They decided quickly to settle down and tie a knot in 1948 and their wedding was unique; they were even married over the radio because they were financially strapped.
They did have some problems in their marriage – with drinking, drug problems, separation in the late 1970s and finally divorced in 1984.
Margie Willett kept her family’s side private and was not very outgoing and connected to the public much.
She passed away in 2008 due to pancreatic cancer and remained linked to the life of one of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities.
The Decision to Marry
Margie Willett and Dick Van Dyke became engaged in 1948, during the difficult economic period after the war. They had a money issue and Dick’s unclear job in the entertainment industry.
But Margie worked as a secretary to support the family and Dick pursued the miracles. Their love was not sufficient to keep along these challenges, but they remain engaged, holding their special wedding to show that they are in this together.
The Need for a Unique Wedding
Margie Willett and Dick Van Dyke were in a tight money situation when they got engaged. Dick was just beginning his entertainment career, and Margie worked as a secretary.
They had to find cheap ways to plan their wedding. Instead of a usual wedding, they agreed to have their wedding on a radio show, “Bride and Groom”, which paid for it in return for a live broadcast.
This choice not only saved them money but also made their wedding special and memorable, as they celebrated with millions of listeners and showed their ability to overcome challenges together.
The Radio Show Proposal
The radio show “Bride and Groom” in the late 1940s was a hit for couples who couldn’t afford regular weddings.
It helped Margie Willett and Dick Van Dyke, a couple struggling financially, by sponsoring their wedding and honeymoon.
This not only saved them money but also made their wedding special, with about 15 million listeners watching their wedding vows on February 12, 1948.
A Live Broadcast Wedding
On February 12, 1948, Margie Willett and Dick Van Dyke got married on a live radio show called “Bride and Groom”.
They had a simple ceremony in front of a minister and two microphones, so about 15 million people could hear their vows.
They chose this way because they didn’t have enough money for a normal wedding. This special broadcast made their wedding stand out and showed their creativity.
It also made everyone listening feel happy and connected, making their wedding a memorable day filled with hope and love.
Honeymoon Adventures
After their special wedding, Margie Willett and Dick Van Dyke went on a honeymoon paid for by the “Bride and Groom” radio show, staying at a fancy hotel in New York City.
This trip let them celebrate their marriage in a luxurious way, even though they had faced money problems before.
However, their early life together was tough because of Dick’s rising career in entertainment, which caused a lot of uncertainty and instability.
As they got married, Margie helped Dick with his career while also taking care of their growing family.
They worked through the challenges of being young marrieds, creating a strong love and resilience that would be tested later on.
Life in Malibu
In the beginning of his career, he and Margie Willett owned a small house in Malibu, California, because they enjoyed the view of the sea but since Van Dyke worked more erratically in the entertainment business than in real estate, they began to suffer financially later on.
Their tough times were visible when they were evicted from their home after Margie’s miscarriage for failure to pay the rent, and having twin babies to top it up.
Of course this period was an important experience for them, and many of them remained devoted in helping each other for the sake of success in Dick’s developing career.
Welcoming Children
Margie Willett and Dick Van Dyke had four kids: Christian, Barry, Stacy, and Carrie Beth.
Each child took a different path: Christian became a lawyer after starting in acting, Barry became an actor like his dad, and Stacy and Carrie Beth appeared on TV but focused on music and family.
Being parents in Hollywood was both rewarding and tough. They celebrated together but also dealt with fame pressures, money issues, and the effects of Dick’s busy job on their family.
They tried to keep their family life normal despite the public attention, but they always supported each other through the challenges of being in the public eye.
Infidelity and Separation
Michelle Triola had an affair with actor Dick Van Dyke in the early 1970’s while still married to his wife Margie Willett.
They never told anyone for years, but eventually, in 1976, the burden became too much for Dick. This led to the breakup of the marriage, a thing which caused Margie to realize that it was a betrayal.
They later separated and indeed never cohabited for eight years before their divorce in 1984. This time revealed how the duo found it very hard to address their issues, let alone the publicity that surrounds Hollywood.
This article tells the real-life story of Margie Willett who suffered through many difficulties in her marriage with Dick Van Dyke but what has been able to keep them together is love and strength.
Despite the issues of money as well as speedy mood swings she kept on standing for her family to the last till their fate was decided.
Her story also pointed out that it is hard when you have fame in a relationship and the power of love is strong.
Margie Willett is still remembered as the caring mother and wife capable of handling her family with the quiet strength necessary during the hard times.
