Swayze's 34-Year Marriage a Special Bond

By PopEater Staff Posted Sep 15th 2009 05:12PM

Relatively few Hollywood marriages stand the test of time, so when one comes along that so clearly exudes love and sincerity, you tend to take notice. Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi were one such couple, and their 34-year marriage was a lesson in dedication and survival through good times and bad.

They led a relatively quiet life together -- for years spending most of their time at his horse ranch near Los Angeles, where he died Monday after battling cancer. But over the years, he's been outspoken in discussing the beautiful nature of their relationship. Flip through the gallery for classic pics, quotes >>

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Patrick & Lisa: A Love Story

A 19-year-old Swayze met Lisa Niemi in 1970 at his mother's dance studio and she immediately brought the cocky hunk and his ego down to earth. "She didn't buy any of my nonsense," he's said of their early days. "We spent half our dates in total silence as she wouldn't talk to me if she thought I was putting on an act." Five years later they were married.

Getty Images

Watch Video Featuring the Couple:

Patrick & Lisa, 'One Last Dance'

Barbara Walter Interview

Stars Remember Swayze on Twitter

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Remembering Patrick Swayze

Actor Patrick Swayze has died at the age of 57 after a nearly two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Look back at the highlights of the beloved star's life >>>

Getty Images / Lionsgate Home Entertainment / AP / Paramount / Everett Collection

Stephen Lovekin, WireImage

Tags: lisa niemi, LisaNiemi, patrick swayze, PatrickSwayze

Comments

(212)

Tuesday 15 September

By TurnipTruckDriver

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Paul, sure is scary when someone dies after such a long and very painful illness. You struggle to make some sense of it and then decide that if you can attach some blame that that will separate you from them and then dying won't happen to you.
But, we all will die one day.
Meanwhile, if you're looking to blame, focus on the tobacco growers who grew rich and powerful peddling their addictive wares.
Then, blame the kid(s) who influenced Swayze to start smoking. Everyone starts because it's "cool." You think you look older- but you end up looking just like a kid smoking a cigarette.
Probably, you're too young to remember that Hollywood glamourized smoking. There were TV commercials and magazine ads for cigarettes.
Be really happy that in your life, you happened to bypass, (somehow), being tempted to try something that you would become addicted to.
If you look at it, people can drink booze and not everyone is addicted, but cigarettes is one thing that EVERYONE who does it, gets addicted to it.
Swayze, with all his money and fame, didn't overcome it.
He didn't deserve to die.
P.S. You are a clueless putz.

By Deb

Viewing all the photos of Patrick and his lovely wife was bittersweet. They were a perfect match and appeared to have a joyful and interesting life with each other. Perhaps not being able to have children was hard for them, but yet brought them closer to each other. I enjoyed his acting quite a bit and I am sad to hear of his passing. I am very sad for his wife who will miss him terribly and have to start a new life. My prayers to her and the rest of the family. Too young to die.

By Bonnie

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An Actor whom will be missed so very much!I love all his movies,and he played each one from his heart.I lost my mother on August 13th 2009 and my brother on May 19th 2007 so I know how very much it hurt's,they both had cancer and it is so hard to watch someone fight so hard and at the end the cancer takes it's toll!It is God I believe who takes them home out of the pain,sorrow,and suffering,and my heart and prayer's go out to his wife,and his family for being their for him till the end.I myself know first hand it is not easy,but you do it for the one you love!God Bless his family and I believe he is with God now!So I ask God to be with his family and comfort them in their time of need.

By debbie

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you are surely heart less !! And for the sake of an arguement the type of cancer he had is not and has not been related to smoking FYI they are not sure why some get this cancer and others do not or what the link is,, I know this as a fact as my Mother is battling the same cancer and has been for 2 years she does not smoke , however there is some link to this and dibetis and weight problems so before you get your mouth going perhas you need a wake up call ! And may I add this to your big butt ego. we all die that is one thing you can be sure of. At least he went with dignity and with lots of love near him..pray you can say the same one day

P.S. my former sister-in-law died of pancreatic cancer a few years ago.
My stepmom is battling it now.
Nasty, nasty disease.
Condolences to the Swayze family on their loss.

By Clay

I had the pleasure of meeting Patrick once. We ended up with one of his Arabian colts from his farm down here in Mississippi. First class person, first class horses. You could tell from the love of his horses what type of individual he was. The world will miss you Patrick . . . may you rest in God's arms.

By virginia phillips

My sincere sympathy goes out to Patrick's family. He was soooo talented and I loved his walk. He was well loved, he will be missed and the world has lost a good man. Life throws us curve balls all the time. One would think that a cure would be here by now for cancer, diabetes and even the common cold. Isn't it frustrating that there are no cures or are there?????????? Think of all the money that has and is still going to research for cancer and diabetes. If they gave up the cure, look how much money that would be lost. HUH!

By paymyownway

Swayze will be missed.

By Arggg

I'm deeply saddened by Patrick's death, but his smoking could well have caused his cancer, and we should be talking about it!! About 1/3 of pancreatic cancer is caused by smoking. I'm not judging him; we all have addictions, and smoking is the second hardest to quit. I just hope this tragedy stops a few kids from starting this horrible habit!

By djjones106

Paul , you are really stupid !! This cancer is not caused by smoking but if you had read about it some you might have found that out, or if it was someone close to you would have learned..you say you worked with Patrick, and loved him sounds like you are trying to make yourself look good in someone elses light, that is low very low..and you know what there are many smells that are far worse than smoking...like perfumes and sweat and bad breath..or someone with a really bad ego!

By kuuipo018

Not everyday you have a Hollywood couple who lives so low key and away from the madness. They never flaunted themselves or acted like jackasses. They just truely loved one another.

Monday 21 September

By Karin

I too grew up watching Patrick's films. He was a very talented man. I like others will miss him. My thoughts and prayer go out to his family and friends. I know the days to come are going to be very difficult. The old saying with time the hurt lessens. Patrick was a brave soul and his battle is over now may his loved ones come to accept he's in a peacefull pain free place now May God bless you and keep you all

By Escalonz

You have the I.Q. of a retarded mosquitoe.
================================
Damn! That does make for one hellova disability. Karma can be brutal indeed.................

By onic7

I was never, really, much of a fan. The inevitable came to surpass. Heartfelt condolences for all fans and family. I'll honk my horn on my way home. Oh, I even gave him a moment of silence. He deserved that from me especially from his movie, dirty dancing.

By Recie

"Ditto, Sam, ditto."

By Helena

I loved all his movies & mini series, however the best that I'll remember him for is Dirty Dancing, Ghost, and North & South. The Barbara Walter's Special where she interviewed him was great. He was such a loving person. His death reminds me of when Paul McCartney's wife Linda died. What a love story. All married couples whould have a love story like Swazye's and McCartney's marriage. Patrick, May You Rest In Peace!!

By Ellie

My prayers go out to the family of Patrick Swayze.

One of things I always aprreciated about him and his wife was that they kept their private life private. They guarded and maintained the dignity of their marital bond. I hope he left a manual that can be distributed to the Hollywood nutcases with directions on how to live and maintain a relationship in a dignified manner.

By jessica

I agree as far as you mentioning the "Hollywood Nutcases." Patrick and his wife were nothing like that, even to the end. They could have pulled a Farrah and Ryan. By the way, I am not faulting Farrah for that but Ryan Oneal stating he hit on his own daughter at the funeral just makes people like the Swayzes all the more needed in Hollywood since so many people look up to celebrities.

By cynharrelson

To Paul T. Wow,you must really be in Love W/ yourself, to act so High and Mighty! FYI: Smoking may cause Lung Cancer and Emphysema, but Not Pancreatic Cancer. This is caused by your Genes. If you Have the Gene that causes this disease, then, @ some point in your life, you'll develop this insidious disease. This Blog, BTW, is for offering ones' "thoughts of Comfort" and Not to Criticize! So why don't you just Go Away and let those of us whom wish to express Our Sympathy to Patricks' Family/Loved Ones, do so, with Out Your Stupid Comments! {this is Rhetorical, and therefore, Does Not Require Pauls Response.} May God Bless and Keep You Patrick. Sleep Well, my Friend.

May your star always shine, you will be missed , although no one could miss you more than your wife, I pray God walks with her and helps her cope the loss of her heart.

You have inspired many to contribute to this cancer one that had not been recognized by many as it is the sleeping cancer.

It is unlike any other since you dont know you have it until it is almost to late, My Mother is battling this ..and FYI all it is not a cancer caused by smoking,so please educate yourselves before you open your mouths.

I know the fight you put up and the hope that was with your wife... we are never ready to leave, but when we do we know that we have loved all we can and given love all we can, and you learn fast that the best things in life are not material at all the riches are what we carry inside and who we are as a human being and what we can do for others, and you have done just that !

AS he quoted in one of his movies...the love you take it with you !! and thats it !

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