You know those stories where two people meet, go their separate ways, and then destiny brings them back together? Well, that’s exactly what happened to veteran TV stars Patrick Duffy and Linda Purl. For decades, these two crossed paths here and there, but it wasn’t until the pandemic hit that they truly connected. Now, four years later, they’re one of the happiest couples in show business. “It’s an incredible feeling to bring someone into the fabric of your life at this stage,” Linda tells Closer. “Let’s face it, we’re not in our 20s anymore.”
But sometimes, life has its own timeline. “This was the only time I think it could’ve worked,” Patrick, 75, reflects to Closer. The former Dallas star first met Linda, 69, best known for her role on Happy Days, way back in 1980 during a play reading. At the time, both were married. “We’d bump into each other every 20 years or so, just saying, ‘Oh, hi, nice to see you,’” recalls Linda with a laugh. But in 2020, as the world shut down, they reconnected through a group text. With the pandemic altering their lives, they found themselves with the time and space to really get to know each other. “I had been widowed for about three years,” Patrick explains. “Everything lined up perfectly for me to feel comfortable diving deeper into our friendship.”
Neither of them was looking for romance when they started chatting. Patrick, after a long and happy 43-year marriage to dancer Carlyn Rosser, who passed away in 2017, thought he’d never find love again. Linda, who had been divorced, was content with her close-knit group of friends. “They’re devoted to Linda in a way I’ve never seen friendships,” Patrick notes. But as they talked—via text, phone, and video calls—they discovered a shared sense of humor and intellect that kept them hooked. They made it a habit to catch up every evening. “Patrick was in Oregon, and I was in Colorado,” Linda explains. “We didn’t set out to fall in love. He was just a great friend. We’d talk for hours because, well, we had nothing else on our calendars.”
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As the weeks turned into months, their connection deepened. Patrick shared a poem he’d written about trees, while Linda introduced him to new music they’d enjoy together. Even though they were physically 1,000 miles apart, they’d eat dinner together over Zoom. One night, after a long conversation, Patrick hung up with these unexpected words: “OK, tomorrow at 7 o’clock, goodbye, I love you.” He quickly realized what he’d said. “I hung up and thought, ‘Oh my God, what just happened?’”
How Patrick Duffy and Linda Purl Made It Work
The next evening, Linda got ready for their call in a way she hadn’t before. “I did my hair, put on mascara, and even splashed on some perfume—I was nervous,” she laughs. Then, Patrick did something truly romantic: he hopped in his car and drove 23 hours to see her. “We haven’t been apart much since,” she says with a smile.
One of the beautiful things about finding love later in life is the freedom to focus on the relationship. “It’s easier now,” Linda explains. “We’re not trying to build careers or figure out who we are. Those things are already established.” Patrick agrees, noting that their many deep conversations during the lockdown helped them understand each other deeply. “Blending our lives was almost seamless,” he says. “People always say it feels like we’ve been together for 40 years, and you know what? It really does.”
Today, the couple splits their time between Linda’s home in Colorado, Patrick’s ranch in Oregon, and Los Angeles. They’ve even acted together. “We got to star in a movie together,” Linda says, referring to Doomsday Mom: The Lori Vallow Story. “And we performed a play on the road in England and parts of Scotland.”
Their collaboration extends beyond acting. Duffy’s Dough, a company they founded to sell Patrick’s sourdough bread starter, is another shared passion. “Our aim is to be the next Paul Newman,” Patrick says, noting that 100 percent of the profits go to charities fighting hunger. “We might not reach that level, but it’s a great goal to shoot for.”
The Sweetest Chapter Yet for Linda Purl and Patrick Duffy
Early on, the couple decided they didn’t need to have kids together. “We’re lucky to have the amazing children we already have,” Linda says, referring to her adult son and Patrick’s two. As for marriage, that’s still a topic of discussion. “In many ways, we already feel married,” Linda admits.
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Patrick adds that the constant need to prove his commitment keeps him motivated. “I want to earn this relationship every single day,” he says. “I want to continue caring, providing, and honoring her. Nowadays, there aren’t many downsides to staying unmarried.”
Ultimately, both feel incredibly fortunate to have found each other at just the right moment in their lives. “We started by simply being willing to explore a friendship without any expectations or pressure,” Linda reflects. “Being open, extending yourself, and staying willing is key.”
Patrick firmly believes it’s never too late to find love if you’re ready to make room for it. “The first question is: Do you want another relationship?” he says. “If you do, don’t give up. Don’t let time or circumstances dictate your choices, but don’t chase after it either. The truth is, if you chase someone, you’ll only catch the slowest one. But if you
