"Just because somebody's gone doesn't end your relationship with them," Lisa Niemi admitted.
Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi have a Hollywood love story quite like any other. The couple, who first met at Swayze's mom's dance studio as teens, were married for nearly 34 years. They were together until the actor's last breath in 2009 when he lost his battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 57. His wife and brother were with the Dirty Dancing star in his final hours at his ranch in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains near Los Angeles. Decades later, Niemi, 66, admitted his spirit still lives strongly in her heart. She even hears his voice and his movies still move her to tears.
Patrick Swayze and wife Lisa Niemi at the premiere party for the film "Skatetown USA" in Los Angeles, 1979. 🥰 pic.twitter.com/rcNyWO91gh
— Groovy History (@GroovyHistory) December 30, 2021
She recalled while talking to TODAY that certain parts of the movies catch her off-guard and that she always has had her favorite parts. She always seems to cry in the same three scenes in the movie Ghost. She also mentioned how she loves the scene in Point Break, where Swayze falls out of the back of the airplane saying, "Adios, amigo," because that's so him. "That's so quintessential Patrick," Niemi added. She admitted to her late husband's voice being in her head and that he comments on what she does. Whenever she feels the need for a bolster or if something was going on, she would just ask him in her head and she could almost immediately hear him saying, "Come on, girl, get real."
Who do I miss? Folks like Patrick Swayze, who died in 2009, and who by all accounts was a very decent man.
— Michael W. Towns, Sr. (@MichaelWTownsSr) April 28, 2023
He married his wife in 1975 and they were still happily married 34 years later when he died with her at his side. He was 57. (Photos courtesy of Lisa Niemi Swayze). pic.twitter.com/zJmOaAtR9K
It doesn't matter how much time has passed by, the late actor will always have a special place in her heart. "Just because somebody's gone doesn't end your relationship with them. We spent 34 years together, and that's always going to be a part of my life and who I am," she said.
Niemi Swayze, who married Albert DePrisco in 2014, says getting remarried does not take away from the love story she shared with the “Dirty Dancing” star. https://t.co/maMKQx3WAG
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) April 28, 2023
After Swayze's death, miraculously Lisa found love again. Regardless, she said that her love would never change for her ex-husband. The dancer got married to Albert DePrisco in 2014 after Swayze's death due to pancreatic cancer in 2009.
She's even continued to fight his fight and became an advocate for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. She still cares for him and knows very well how tough it was for Patrick and herself during his fight with cancer. "Cancer may have taken him, but it didn't beat him. And I'm continuing his fight for him."
How Patrick Swayze’s Widow Lisa Found Love Again With Husband Albert https://t.co/NxrLXId3mM
— E! News (@enews) April 28, 2023
In an interview with PEOPLE in 2007, Patrick, who was the leading man in romantic movies such as 1987's Dirty Dancing and 1990's Ghost, mentioned how his acting took a lot of inspiration from his real-life love as him and Niemi have built just about every character he had done. "You have to understand, we have an ease... We've been partners for a long time," he added. He also described his wife of 34 years who was by his side throughout his battle with cancer as his "pillar of strength."
Lisa Niemi Swayze, the widow of beloved actor Patrick Swayze, reflects on their loving marriage, her work with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and moving on with new love. pic.twitter.com/xqGusOapSL
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) April 28, 2023
References:
https://people.com/celebrity/patrick-swayze-dies-at-57/
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Ethan Miller
