Patrick Duffy’s life was shattered when his wife of nearly 40 years passed away unexpectedly in 2017. For years, the actor thought he would be forever haunted by the pain. Surprisingly, in his seventies, he found love once more when he least anticipated it.
For decades, Patrick Duffy and his wife shared a love story that was the centerpiece of his existence. They were married for 43 years, building a family and a profound spiritual connection that shaped him. When she died, he was consumed by profound grief and spent years adapting to life as a widower.
However, an unforeseen reunion taught Duffy that love can be reignited even in the most improbable circumstances. Let’s explore his enduring love story with his first wife and how he rediscovered happiness years after her passing.
A Love That Withstood the Test of Time
Duffy’s life took a radical turn when he encountered his wife Carlyn Rosser during his senior year in college. Rosser, a ballet dancer with the First Chamber Dance Company of New York, was a decade older than Duffy. Despite the age difference, their 43-year marriage endured.
The couple wed in 1974 at a Buddhist temple, where Rosser introduced Duffy to a faith that would underpin their relationship. That same year, they welcomed their first son, Padraic.
Early in their marriage, the pair moved to New York, where Duffy pursued acting. His acting career began to thrive in the late 1970s. After a stint as a house painter, he landed the role of Mark Harris in the TV series “Man from Atlantis.” In 1978, he secured his most famous role as Bobby Ewing on “Dallas.”
Around the same period, Duffy and Rosser had their second son, Conor. Then, their relationship faced a severe trial in 1986 when the actor’s parents were brutally murdered during a robbery at their bar in Boulder, Montana.
The horrifying event rocked Duffy to his core, but he leaned on Rosser and his Buddhist beliefs to survive.
Rosser was also Duffy’s rock during this time. However, in 2017, he endured an unimaginable tragedy when Rosser passed away at the age of 77. Her death stunned the family, and Duffy admits he struggled to come to terms with it.
The actor mainly relied on his sons for solace, although he often felt it was his duty to help them cope with their loss.
By 2019, Duffy had come to terms with his new life as a widower, even though he still regarded himself as married in his heart.
Duffy was deeply affected by Rosser’s death, but her memory continued to guide him. Her impact on his life, both emotionally and spiritually, remained a source of strength as he moved forward each day — until the unexpected happened.
A Love Rediscovered in an Unexpected Chapter
Duffy never expected to fall in love again after the heart-wrenching loss of his wife. But as life often shows, the most beautiful moments can arrive when least expected. At 71, he was given a second shot at happiness with actress Linda Purl, a romance that blossomed during the quiet days of the pandemic.
Years ago, Duffy and Purl were casual acquaintances, but they lost touch over time. Their reconnection occurred by chance through a group text chain with a mutual friend. As the weeks passed, the conversations dwindled until only Duffy and Purl were left.
Once their connection became clear, he decided to meet Purl in person. They became inseparable after that.
Purl described their journey as “a very Victorian process” since they spent their time building a friendship before their relationship turned romantic. Duffy, in turn, expressed astonishment at finding love again.
Their connection seemed so natural that they incorporated it into their work life. In 2021, the two played a married couple in a TV film. Duffy’s experience was like nothing he had ever known in his career.
Duffy believes his late wife would have been happy for his newfound happiness.
Patrick Duffy’s story illustrates how love can last and be reborn. Despite spending decades with Rosser, her memory remains a part of him, even as he discovers happiness with Linda Purl.