The heartwarming photos of the late Patrick Swayze’s and Lisa Niemi’s loving marriage in 7 photos

The couple met when they were both still just teens studying at Swayze’s mother’s dance studio in Texas. The pair dated for a while before getting married in 1975. The intimate ceremony was held in the backyard of her childhood home in Texas, followed by a reception at the Houston dance studio where they first met. 

 In 2007, he reflected on their meeting, telling People: “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 and Patrick tied the knot on 12 June 1975. During their marriage Patrick became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

In 1983, he starred as Darrel “Darry” Curtis in iconic ’80s flick The Outsiders about two rival teen gangs, working with the likes of Rob Lowe, Matt Dillon and Ralph Macchio.

Patrick reached the height of his fame in 1987, and Lisa Niemi was right through his side throughout it all as her husband’s charismatic screen presence and dancing skills held the spotlight firmly at his feet.

Cast as leading man Johnny Castle, Patrick starred opposite Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing as the dreamboat dance instructor who reveals a previously hidden world to Jennifer’s Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman.

Fifteen years after saying ‘I do’, Patrick and Lisa were just as loved up, while the Dirty Dancing star’s career continued to flourish.

He landed a leading role in drama Tiger Warsaw and saw his co-written ballad ‘She’s Like the Wind’ reach number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100. 

After the loss of his sister, Patrick retreated from the public eye, returning to the spotlight briefly with Lisa at his side on stage.

Patrick hosted the World Music Awards in 1994, and the couple performed a contemporary dance routine to Whitney Houston’s ‘All The Man That I Need’.

Patrick and wife Lisa welcomed in the turn of the century together with his star power continuing to shine from the screen.

In 1998, Patrick starred in Letters from a Killer and Black Dog, followed by 2000’s Forever Lulu. The couple were clearly enjoying a brief break from film premieres, opting for date night at the theatre for The Merchant of Venice.

The 2000s brought just as much on-screen success for Swayze as the previous decades, including a notable cameo in Dirty Dancing‘s 2004 sequel Havana Nights.

The year prior, Patrick and Lisa starred in drama feature One Last Dance, bringing their chemistry and dancing talent to the screen. Patrick sadly passed in 2009 and his wife Lisa has been a prominent advocate for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network ever since.