Lisa Niemi Swayze and Patrick Swayze a Hollywood Love Story for Over Three Decades

Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi Swayze Were a Couple that Defied the Odds of a Hollywood Divorce

Roz Zurko
Patrick: Patrick Swayze died today at age of 57 after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer.

Patrick Wayne Swayze was born August 18, 1952 in Houston, Texas. His wife, Lisa Niemi whose given name at birth was, Lisa A. Haapaniemi was born May 26, 1956 also in Houston, Texas.

Lisa and Patrick met when she was 15 and Patrick was 19 years old. Patrick's mother was a dance teacher and Lisa was one of her students. They Knew each other for a while before committing to a relationship.

Patrick shared in interviews over the years that "We were friends for a long time before we became lovers.

Patrick and Lisa were married on June 12, 1975 in the Houston area of Harris County, Texas. Patrick was 22 and Lisa was 19 years old. They renewed their vows again in May of 2008. They had no children. It was the two of them together as a family and best friends who were very much in love. .

They have homes in Los Angeles and in New Mexico. Both are ranches with all the things that ranch life has to offer, such as horses. They both take pride in the environment and run their ranches as you would a wild life refuge leaving the land alone and the way nature intended it..

Patrick Swayze was an actor, dancer and a producer. His wife Lisa is an actress, writer, choreographer, dancer, singer and producer. She also has a pilot's license which she used to fly Patrick back and forth to treatments for his cancer.

Source: In a TV Guide interview Lisa said her marriage lasted because she never felt left out of Patrick's life due to all the stardom. "I give him a lot of credit for not making me feel overshadowed or left out."

Published by Roz Zurko

Roz is a published freelance writer originally from Milford CT, a bedroom community for New York City. She writes full time from home in MA. She attended New Haven University and Graduated with a degree in...   View profile

14 Comments

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  • They had true Love. 9/17/2009

    Most marriages are hard to keep together, Specially movie stars, But they seen it thru as God meant it to be.
    Till death them do part. My God hold Lisa in his arms, till she is once again in Patrick's.
    God Bless, Anita Long

  • Kristie Leong M.D. 9/16/2009

    He will truly be missed. Great write-up. :-)

  • Melissa J. Miller 9/15/2009

    I never realized they didn't have children. Never thought about it before. So sad to hear he passed away. I adored "Ghost" and "Dirty Dancing," and he was hilarious in "Donnie Darko."

  • Teresa W 9/15/2009

    What a great actor he was. Every movie he made left an impression of stardom only he could accomplish. He will be greatly missed. Condolences and prayers are with his family and friends. %27Rest In Peace Patrick Swayze%27.

  • Larry 9/15/2009

    Such a sad time for everyone,wish I knew what to say.Feel so bad for Lisa..seems they were the perfect couple,a true love story.....can only imagine how much in love they were.Patrick was such a terrific person,he was so special.Think alot of us even tried,as best we could,to be alittle like Patrick while we were growing up...good men like Patrick are few and far between!...he'll always be in our hearts and sadly missed!God bless you Patrick!!

  • Robin 9/15/2009

    Patrick will truely be missed. He was one of the few actors who stayed out of the scandles of hollywood. I believe that was because he truely was in love with his beautiful wife Lisa for all those years. Lisa we hold you in our hearts and prayers because you are the one who now has the tough job of moving on after losing the love of your life. That happened to me 10 years ago after I lost the love of my life. We were high school sweethearts. Hang tight Lisa rest assure your love will never die. He will always be in your heart and soul. You will always feel him with you. God Bless!

  • Joy 9/15/2009

    Patrick was a real one! Terriffic in acting, so pleasant in personality. He will surely be missed by family, friends, and fans alike. [You fought a good fight Pat. Rest in blessed peace.]

  • Scott Ranzau 9/15/2009

    Great article Roz! It is so sad but endearing just the same.

  • Cheryl McCann 9/15/2009

    A marriage inspiration with the words, "We were friends for a long time before we became lovers."

  • karen- 9/15/2009

    What a sad time for his wife, Lisa, of 34 years..and his family members..God comfort them in the times to come..I think Patrick and Lisa truly knew what love was..They were meant for each other..They seemed just as in love after 34 years as they were in the beginning..God bless her and RIP Patrick Swayze. You were surely loved by many fans!

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