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At a Vandy High Tea event at his Malibu home, Dick Van Dyke reportedly said: “So I got rid of booze and cigarettes and all that stuff, which is probably why I’m still here.” The quote appeared in Just Jared’s December 7, 2025 account. His “probably” matters: it was his personal explanation, not evidence that quitting those habits alone caused his longevity.
What Van Dyke said—and where the quote came from
Just Jared reported that Van Dyke made the remark at a Vandy High Tea event at his home in Malibu. Fox News published a related account on December 10, 2025, attributing the event remark to People. The quote is available through this secondary reporting; an event recording and the original People report have not been verified.
In the same reported account, Van Dyke described having an addictive personality and giving up alcohol and cigarettes. The phrase “probably why I’m still here” frames the connection as his own belief, not a demonstrated medical cause.
What is known about his recovery story
The accounts give two nearby but different dates for Van Dyke’s recognition of his alcohol problem. Fox News reported that he said he recognized his addictive personality in his 50s and entered a hospital in 1972 to address alcoholism. A historical interview transcript reproduced by Family Health Magazine records him saying he realized what was happening in 1973 and began doing something about it. The dates should remain attributed to their respective sources rather than combined into one definitive chronology.
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That transcript records Van Dyke describing himself as an alcoholic in recovery and saying he would not be able to drink again. It is a historical account of his experience, not current clinical guidance. Fox News also reports that he recalled quitting smoking as harder than quitting drinking and had hoped that speaking about his alcohol struggles might help others.
How old was Dick Van Dyke when he made the remark?
The December 2025 coverage appeared ahead of his 100th birthday. The Associated Press reports that Van Dyke celebrated turning 100 on December 13, 2025. That milestone gives the remark its immediate context, but his individual story does not establish a general formula for longevity.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Van Dyke’s book about reaching 100
The Associated Press identifies Van Dyke’s book as 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life. It is a personal guide, not a clinical reference, and its current edition and availability may vary.
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