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Dr. Robert Levine: Inside The Life Of Mary Tyler Moore's Husband

Dr. Robert Levine was the husband of the late Mary Tyler Moore. Dr. Robert’s wife was an actress, producer, and social advocate. She is best known for The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966) and The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1977), which “helped define a new vision of American womanhood” and “appealed to an audience facing the new trials of modern-day existence”.

Dr. Robert Levine: Bio Summary

NameDr. Robert Levine
Date of birth22 September 1954
Place of birthMineola, New York, USA
Famous ashusband of Mary Tyler Moore
GenderMale
NationalityAmerican
SpouseMary Tyler Moore
ParentsIrving Levine and Marion Levine
ProfessionDoctor

How Old Is Mary Tyler Moore’s Husband?

Mary Tyler Moore was married to Dr. Robert Levine born Seymour Robert Levine until she passed away. Robert was born on September 22, 1954, in Mineola, New York, USA. He will be celebrating his 69th birthday in 2023, on September 22. His parents are Irving Levine and Marion Levine. Robert was a cardiologist.

Dr. Robert Levine graduated summa cum laude from Loyola-Stritch Medical School in 1979. He completed his specialty training in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. He was the founding Director of Mt. Sinai’s Cardiac Health & Rehab Program.

Dr. Robert Levine appeared as himself in Late Night with David Letterman, The 3rd Annual Television Academy Hall of Fame Awards, Intimate Portrait, The Dick Van Dyke Show – Celebrating the 60th Anniversary, Today, and Inside Edition. He voiced himself in Being Mary Tyler Moore.

Dr. Robert also served as an executive producer on the HBO documentary, Being Mary Tyler Moore.

How Did Dr. Robert Meet Mary Tyler Moore?

Dr. Robert Levine and Mary Tyler Moore met by coincidence. They came across each other when Robert treated Mary’s then unwell mother Marjorie Hackett Moore in New York City on a weekend house call. Per People, Mary had tried to reach her unavailable doctor before she was linked to Dr. Robert who was on call.

“After I’d seen her mom the second time,” Dr. Robert told PEOPLE, “I said to Mary, ‘If there’s an emergency just get in touch with me.’ And Mary said, ‘Does acute loneliness count?’ And I said, ‘Yes.’” A few days later they made a dinner date. Dr. Robert and Mary started seeing each other.

ALSO READ: Richard Carleton Meeker: Facts About Mary Tyler Moore’s Ex-husband

Dr. Robert Levine was several years Mary Tyler Moore’s junior but their age difference didn’t stop them from being madly in love with each other. They got married on November 23, 1983, at the Pierre Hotel in New York City. Per People, their marriage was Dr. Robert’s first and only marriage.

Dr. Robert and Mary remained married until Mary passed away. They were married for more than 30 years. Mary was married twice before she met Dr. Robert. Dr. Robert is the third husband of Mary. Mary was married to her first husband Richard Carleton Meeker from August 25, 1955, until they divorced on February 23, 1962.

They had a son Richard Carleton “Richie” Meeker Jr. (3 July 1956 – 14 October 1980). Richie died at the age of 24, of an accidental gunshot to the head while handling a small .410 shotgun. Mary Tyler Moore was also married to television producer and executive, Grant Almerin Tinker, co-founder of MTM Enterprises.

The two were married from June 1, 1962, up until June 11, 1981, when they divorced. They had no children together. In addition to her two failed marriages, Mary was involved in other affairs. Mary had a relationship with American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and musician Stephen Glenn Martin.

Mary Tyler Moore also dated American actor and filmmaker Warren Beatty. Despite her previous marriages and relationships, Mary Tyler Moore said her husband Dr. Robert Levine was her first true love.

What Happened To Dr. Robert’s Wife?

Dr. Robert Levine’s wife Mary Tyler Moore made him a widower after she died at the age of 80 on January 25, 2017, at Greenwich Hospital in Greenwich, Connecticut. She died from cardiopulmonary arrest complicated by pneumonia after having been placed on a ventilator the week before.

Mourning his beloved wife, Dr. Robert Levine said in a statement: “I can’t believe she is gone. Mary was my life, my light, my love. The emptiness I feel without her with me is without bottom. She was a force of nature who fiercely defended her autonomy even as her health was failing. Mary was fearless, determined, and willfull.”

“If she felt strongly about something, or that there was truth to be told, she would do it, no matter the consequences.” He added, “She was kind, genuine, approachable, honest, and humble. And she had that smile. Oh, to see her smile that smile, just once more. …”

“My sadness is only tempered by the remarkable outpouring of good wishes, tributes, and personal ‘Mary stories’ told, with heart, by those touched by her grace,” the statement continued. “As long as we all remember her, talk about her, share our stories about her, and what she meant to us, her light will never go out.”

Dr. Robert Levine founded the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative to prevent diabetic retinal disease. Mary was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in her early 30s and suffered its burdens. She had faced other challenges throughout her life. Dr. Robert and Mary were long-standing diabetes research advocates.

ALSO, READ: Richie Meeker: How Did Mary Tyler Moore’s Son Die?

The couple were involved with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Dr. Robert ‘played an instrumental role within JDRF as a member of its International Board and Board Committees by helping transform its strategy and operations as they experienced rapid growth and expanding influence.’

JDRF is the leading global organization harnessing the power of research, advocacy, and community engagement to advance life-changing breakthroughs for type 1 diabetes (T1D). “If you look at her from physical challenges, from health challenges, but also from emotional, she never shied,” Dr. Robert said of his wife.

“I wanted to reflect on what Mary’s life was, remind people of her importance and her impact, and encourage them to be a Mary too. To stand up for what you believe and to always present the world with a smile, but to not be shy from the battle.”

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Abbie Anker

Update: 2024-05-22