This ’80s Star Lost His Wife of 43 Years—You Won’t Believe Who Stole His Heart at 71!

Patrick Duffy’s world changed forever when his wife of over 40 years unexpectedly passed away in 2017. For a long time, the actor believed he would never recover from the pain. But in his seventies, he found love again when he least expected it.

Duffy, best known for his role in Dallas, had a love story with his wife that defined his life. They were married for 43 years, built a family together, and shared a deep spiritual bond. After her death, he struggled with the loss and spent years living as a widower.

But an unexpected connection led him to realize that love could find him again in the most surprising way. Here’s a look at his long-lasting love with his first wife and how he found happiness again after her passing.

Duffy’s life changed when he met Carlyn Rosser while he was in college. She was a talented ballet dancer and was ten years older than him, but their connection was instant.

Remembering their first meeting, he said, “I was a young college graduate traveling with a dance production, and she was a beautiful ballerina ten years older. We met on the tour bus, and that was it—for life.”

The couple married in 1974 in a Buddhist temple. Rosser introduced Duffy to Buddhism, and it became a key part of their relationship. That same year, they welcomed their first son, Padraic.

Early in their marriage, they moved to New York, where Duffy pursued acting. He worked in Off-Broadway productions while doing carpentry jobs to support his family.

His acting career started gaining success in the late 1970s. After working as a house painter for a while, he landed the role of Mark Harris in Man from Atlantis. Then, in 1978, he secured his most famous role as Bobby Ewing in Dallas.

Around this time, he and Rosser had their second son, Conor. Their love was tested in 1986 when tragedy struck—Duffy’s parents were murdered during a robbery at their tavern in Montana.

The event shook him deeply, but he relied on Rosser and his Buddhist faith to find strength. Reflecting on it, he said, “When my parents were murdered, I went through all the emotions—shock, anger—but I never felt disconnected from them.”

Buddhism helped him heal, and Rosser was his rock. But in 2017, he faced an unimaginable loss when she passed away at 77. Her death was sudden, and Duffy struggled to cope.

Looking back on their life together, he said, “My wife and I were always together for 48 years. Her passing was unexpected. It was a big adjustment.”

Six months later, he expressed his grief on social media, writing, “On this day six months ago, my heart stopped, yet I live on as she wishes. We will be together eternally.”

His sons provided support, but he often felt he had to be strong for them. “My boys were there for me, but I realized I might be more adjusted to this than they are,” he shared.

Despite his heartbreak, Duffy found comfort in the memories of Rosser. “I feel close to her all the time,” he said. “What I miss most is her touch.”

By 2019, he had accepted life as a widower but still considered himself a married man. “I can hear her. I can see her. I know what she would expect of me, and I try to live up to that,” he said.

Though Rosser’s loss was painful, her memory continued to guide him—until something unexpected happened.

Duffy never imagined falling in love again after losing his wife. But life has a way of surprising us. At 71, he found happiness again with actress Linda Purl. Their romance began during the quiet days of the pandemic.

Years earlier, Duffy and Purl had been friends, but they lost touch over time. Their reconnection happened unexpectedly through a group text with mutual friends. Over time, the group messages faded, leaving only Duffy and Purl talking.

What started as simple chats turned into hours-long conversations on Zoom every night. “We Zoomed every night for at least two to three hours,” Duffy said. “We talked about our past, our loves, and listened to music together.”

Their connection grew stronger, and Duffy decided to meet Purl in person. “I loaded up my car and drove 20 hours to her doorstep just to see if it was real,” he revealed. From that moment, they were inseparable.

Purl described their romance as “a very Victorian process” because they built their bond slowly before becoming a couple.

Duffy was surprised by how deeply he fell for her. “I never thought this would happen again,” he admitted. “I never thought I’d feel this way again.”

Their love was so natural that they even worked together. In 2021, they played a married couple in a television movie. For Duffy, it was a special experience.

“It’s the first time in my career that I got up in the morning with my co-star, then walked to set holding hands,” he said. “The chemistry worked on and offscreen. It was so enjoyable.”

Their relationship was different from young love—it was mature and full of purpose. “At this stage in life, it’s all about her. How do I make her smile?” Duffy said. “We’ve eliminated all the trial and error of young relationships. It’s all positive and lovely.”

For Purl, their love story was proof that life is full of surprises. “We weren’t looking for this. We didn’t expect it. But don’t ever give up,” she shared.

Duffy also believed that Rosser would have supported his happiness. “I honestly feel this is in line with my wife’s wishes. We are meant to be happy. So when happiness is offered, don’t let it pass you by.”

In a 2023 interview, the couple reflected on finding love again. When asked if they ever expected it, Duffy said he didn’t, while Purl was pleasantly surprised.

“I was 70, and I had a 46-year marriage,” Duffy said. “I thought I was content. But talking with Linda made me realize being content is not the end goal in life.”

Purl, who had been married four times before, didn’t think love would happen again either. “I had a fulfilling life in New York. I wasn’t expecting a deep relationship,” she said.

Duffy jokingly added, “She had no idea who she was dealing with!”

When asked about the secret to finding love later in life, Purl said, “Every relationship is unique, but we laugh a lot together. That was a bonus. We also had a lot in common.”

Duffy added, “At our age, having had long relationships before, we’ve already overcome the early challenges. It makes starting a relationship later in life so much easier.”

As for marriage, the couple said it wasn’t something they were rushing into. “Right now, this relationship is as deep and meaningful as any I’ve ever been in,” Duffy shared.

In late 2024, Purl posted a sweet photo of the couple enjoying a trip to Italy. Fans flooded the comments with love and support, calling them a “beautiful couple.”

Patrick Duffy’s story is a testament to love’s endurance and renewal. After decades with Rosser, her memory remains with him, even as he embraces a new chapter with Linda Purl.