When you think of Hollywood romances, Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi’s 34-year marriage has to be one of the most inspiring. Their journey started with a bit of a rocky beginning, but it evolved into an unforgettable love story. Lisa Niemi, now 67, recently opened up about their early days during an appearance on the "Amy and T.J. Podcast" on April 8.
A Controversial Start to a Legendary Love
Let’s rewind to when Patrick and Lisa first crossed paths. Lisa admitted that their initial relationship was far from smooth. “We had a little contentious start because… he had a kind of reputation as a Casanova; I had a reputation as a bad girl, and we were supposed to stay away from each other,” Lisa explained. Despite these early challenges, they found common ground and built a connection that would last a lifetime.
First Dance, First Love
While some might have dismissed their chances of long-term happiness, Lisa confessed that she wasn’t sure if their relationship would culminate in a decades-long marriage. The truth is, their love started in the most unexpected way—through dance. “My first dance teacher was his mom, so that’s how we met,” Lisa revealed to hosts Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes. “He was my first dance partner.” Dance wasn’t just a shared passion; it was the foundation of their bond. It was where they discovered their mutual respect and admiration for each other.
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Patrick wasn’t just another pretty face in Hollywood. Sure, he had plenty of admirers and a string of high-profile relationships, but Lisa saw something deeper in him. “He had quite a significant amount of girlfriends… of course he was very handsome and sought after, but I think he was looking for something more than just fooling around,” she continued. Patrick wasn’t a womanizer; instead, he was a gentleman with a heart yearning for true love. Lisa recognized that, and it made all the difference.
A Gentleman at Heart
Patrick’s charm wasn’t just about his looks or his talent. It was about his character. Lisa recalled how Patrick always treated her with respect, even when she wasn’t expecting it. “He would open the door for me and I’d freak out about that – ‘I can open up my own door!’ He actually liked that because he was going places and he was going to be doing things and he wanted somebody to come along that could do ‘em with him. Not just sit and file their nails,” Lisa fondly remembered. Patrick wanted a partner who could keep up with him, and Lisa was that person.
A Legacy of Love
Tragically, Patrick passed away on September 14, 2009, at the age of 57 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Five years later, Lisa found love again with her second husband, Albert DePrisco. She was clear that her love for Patrick was never in conflict with her feelings for Albert. “I have to say, that the love I have for Patrick was never in conflict or competition with my feelings for Albert,” she told People in May 2014. “That is until Albert asked me to marry him!”
For Lisa, moving on didn’t mean forgetting. She believed Patrick would have been happy for her. “About a month and a half ago, I had a dream about Patrick. It was like he was giving me his blessing and letting me know it was okay. Again, it can be hard sometimes to take those steps forward, but it doesn’t change the way we feel about someone. He was letting me know that,” Lisa shared.
