Where is Patrick Swayze's wife now? What Lisa Niemi is up to 16 years after his death


It's Patrick and Lisa, not Baby and Johnny, that are the real dancing love-story. Find out what Lisa Niemi has been up to almost 20 years after her husband's passing


American dancer, choreographer and actress Lisa Niemi in a black coat, turning her head back toward her husband, American actor, singer and dancer Patrick, who wears a dark grey suit jacket and holds wife Lisa in front of his chest while smiling at the camera.© Getty Images
Daisy Finch
Daisy FinchAudience Writer
4 days ago
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Patrick Swayze only had hungry eyes for one woman during his lifetime. Dancer and actress Lisa Niemi stole the heartthrob's heart long before he found fame and the pair enjoyed 34 years of marriage before the dancer's death in 2009. 

Catch up with what Lisa's been up to since Patrick's passing and how she's worked to ensure the Dirty Dancing star has a legacy to be proud of. 

Dressed in black, Patrick Swayze stands close to wife Lisa Niemi who wears a white top with a black check pattern and a black jacket.© Getty Images

Lisa Niemi is a dancer, actor and writer

Who is Lisa Niemi?

Lisa Niemi is a dancer, writer and actress, best known for starring opposite husband Patrick in One Last Dance (2003) and author of two memoirs.

She co-wrote 2009 autobiography The Time of My Life with Patrick, and published her own memoir Worth Fighting For: Love, Loss, and Moving Forward in 2012, which explored her husband's passing.

Lisa Niemi rests her arm on Patrick Swayze's shoulder and holds the knee of the leg he has propped up. They both smile and look to the right of the image.© Getty Images

Patrick met Lisa at his mother's dance studio in 1970

Early introduction

Lisa met Patrick when they were both still in their teens at Swayze's mother's dance studio in Texas.

He told People in 2007, "I knew she was the smartest chick I'd ever met in my life [...] for a long time I didn't feel like I deserved her."

Lisa Niemi and Patrick Swayze sit close together, Patrick holding an arm around Lisa's back while sat at a table.© WireImage via Getty Images

Lisa and Patrick said 'I do' in 1975 in a simple ceremony

Marriage to Patrick

The couple tied the knot in 1975, five years after they first met. They kept things lowkey for the ceremony, which took place on 12 June.

The pair held their summer ceremony in their hometown of Houston. The reception celebrated their earlier meeting, taking place at Patrick's family dance studio where they first crossed paths.

Lisa Niemi and actor Patrick Swayze speak onstage behind a podium during the 9th annual Costume Designers Guild Awards.© Getty Images for CDG

Lisa Niemi is a prominent spokesperson for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

Protecting his legacy

Patrick sadly passed on 14 September 2009 following a fight against pancreatic cancer at just 57 years old. Since his death, Lisa has been instrumental in protecting her late husband's legacy.

She has been a prominent activist and spokesperson for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) since 2010.

Lisa Niemi in a purple jumper and purple scarf, holding her hands in her pockets.© Getty Images

Lisa has since remarried but keeps Patrick close to her heart

Where is she now?

Alongside her activism work, Lisa is enjoying life with her second husband jeweller Albert DePrisco. The couple said 'I do' in 2014 but Patrick remains an important part of her life to this day.

She recently opened up about the continued connection to her late husband, saying: "I still feel him with me every day, and hear what he would say to me about certain things."

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