Patrick Swayze met Lisa Niemi when he was 19 and she was just 15, both of them young dancers training at his mother’s ballet school in Houston, Texas. It was there, in that dance studio, that their story began—a story that spanned over three decades, filled with love, struggle, and an unbreakable bond.
They married on June 12, 1975, when Lisa Niemi was 19 and Patrick Swayze was 23, a decision that terrified her at first but one she never regretted. Patrick, with his charm and persistence, had a way of convincing people, and Lisa was no exception. They built a life together, moving from a one-bedroom apartment to a sprawling ranch, turning dreams into reality with every step.
Inside Patrick Swayze’s Love Story With His Wife Lisa Niemi
Patrick Swayze married Lisa Niemi on June 12, 1975, after meeting her as a teenager at his mother’s ballet school, and they remained devoted partners for 34 years until his passing on September 14, 2009. Though they never had children or a son (despite speculations), they had once hoped to, but Lisa suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage. Niemi remarried in 2014 and found love again with her new husband, Albert DePrisco.
Lisa was more than just Patrick Swayze’s wife; she was his partner in every sense. A classically trained dancer like him, she joined him in New York, where they both performed with the prestigious Joffrey Ballet. They didn’t just dance together; they acted together, wrote together, and even flew planes together. They were both licensed pilots, often taking to the skies, and when Patrick was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2008, it was Lisa who personally flew him to his chemotherapy treatments at Stanford University. Their love was a constant force, even in the face of devastating news.
When Patrick Swayze received his diagnosis, he turned to Lisa and said, “I’m a dead man.” He knew the reality of pancreatic cancer, even before the doctors confirmed it. They fought the disease together for 22 months—an unusually long time for someone with stage 4 pancreatic cancer—staying optimistic despite the grim prognosis. But it was a nightmare, as Lisa described it, a 24/7 battle that left no room for anything else.
She regretted that they spent so much time being positive that they never had the chance to truly acknowledge the fears they both carried. On September 14, 2009, Patrick Swayze took his last breath at 10 a.m., with Lisa by his side, holding his hand. Their last words to each other were “I love you.”
Their marriage had been one of deep devotion and sacrifice. Patrick’s fame never overshadowed Lisa; in fact, he went out of his way to ensure she was treated as his equal. He insisted that she be included in everything, that no one dismiss her or push her aside. On film sets, at events, in every part of his life, Lisa was there—not as an accessory but as a force in her own right. They co-wrote and starred in One Last Dance, a project close to both their hearts, and collaborated on numerous other endeavors. Lisa even directed an episode of Patrick’s final television series, The Beast, while he continued working through chemotherapy. Patrick never stopped fighting, and neither did Lisa.
Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi Swayze were one of Hollywood’s longest-lasting love stories. pic.twitter.com/Va4BgK8g4V
— Access Hollywood (@accesshollywood) May 2, 2023
The couple had no children, though they had wanted to be parents. Lisa suffered a miscarriage, a heartbreaking loss she later described as more painful than she had ever imagined. But despite the absence of kids, their marriage remained full. They found joy in their shared passions—dancing, flying, horseback riding on their ranch, and simply being together.
After Patrick Swayze’s passing, Lisa’s world changed in ways she never expected. She spent years grieving, navigating life without the man who had been her partner for 34 years. She later admitted she had neglected her own well-being during his illness, pushing through without fully processing her emotions. She eventually sought trauma treatment, realizing that self-care was something she had ignored while fighting for Patrick’s life.
Who Is Lisa Niemi’s New Husband?
Lisa Niemi remarried in 2014, finding love again with jeweler Albert DePrisco. The decision was not easy—Lisa grappled with guilt, torn between her past and her future. But Albert understood. He told her, “I know you love Patrick, and I love you.” That simple truth was enough to help her take the leap. Their wedding, held on May 25, 2014, was a small, intimate affair with 50 close friends and family in attendance. Lisa was nearly 58 at the time, and she knew that love did not have to end just because Patrick was gone.
She has often spoken about how her love for Patrick Swayze hasn’t diminished. “Just because somebody’s gone doesn’t end your relationship with them,” she once said. She still feels his presence, still hears his voice in her head. And she believes, deep down, that she will see him again someday. In the meantime, she has dedicated herself to carrying on his legacy, working with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to raise awareness and funding for research. She has auctioned off some of his most treasured possessions—his leather jacket from Dirty Dancing, his wetsuit from Point Break—not to rid herself of memories, but to share his spirit with those who loved him.
Lisa Niemi Swayze has lived two great love stories, but Patrick will always be a part of her. Their love was one that withstood time, tragedy, and even death. In her heart, he is still there, dancing with her in an unspoken rhythm that no one else can hear.
