Patrick Duffy’s life was forever changed when his beloved wife of 43 years passed away unexpectedly in 2017. For the actor, grappling with the loss of his lifelong partner left him feeling as though he could never truly move past the heartache. Yet, against all odds and at the age of 71, Patrick discovered love could find him again, and it did so at the most unexpected time.
For more than four decades, Patrick Duffy and Carlyn Rosser shared a deep and enduring love. Their marriage, which began in 1974, became the bedrock of his world. Carlyn, a dancer by profession, was the one who introduced Patrick to Buddhism. This spiritual bond deepened their connection and guided them through life’s highs and lows.
When Carlyn died, Patrick was unmoored. Their life together had been rich — filled with love, family, and a shared faith that saw them through many trials, including the tragic murder of Patrick’s parents in 1986. Despite the horror of that event, Patrick found strength in Carlyn and their shared Buddhist beliefs.
But life after Carlyn was challenging. Patrick admitted, “Our lives were so intertwined that I had to navigate my emotions and adapt to an existence without her presence.” Yet, it was this profound connection they shared that provided solace, even in her absence.
A Love That Stretched Across Time
The story of Patrick and Carlyn is one of enduring love. It all began when Patrick met Carlyn during his senior year of college. Despite being ten years younger, their mutual affection ignored the boundaries that age might have created. “We met on a tour bus,” Patrick fondly remembers, “and that was it — for life.”
Married in a Buddhist temple, their marriage was soon graced with children. By welcoming their first son, Padraic, they started building a family that stood the test of time, even as Patrick’s acting career took off with his iconic role on TV’s “Dallas.” The untimely deaths of his parents presented unimaginable grief, but with Carlyn and their shared spiritual foundation, he endured.
Fast forward over forty years of shared memories, joys, and trials, Carlyn’s passing left an indelible void. The adjustment to life without her was a daunting prospect. Patrick often found himself yearning for the touch and the presence of the woman who had been by his side for so long. “What I miss most is her touch,” he confessed.
As Patrick looked back on their life together, it was their unwavering closeness that he cherished most — a closeness that never diluted with time. Even in her absence, Patrick felt Carlyn’s spirit guiding him, a comforting presence that never faltered.
Rediscovering Love in Life’s Unlikely Twists
By 2019, Patrick had accepted his role as a widower, though he still felt eternally linked to Carlyn. But just as life holds unexpected challenges, it also offers surprises. It was during the solitude of the pandemic that Patrick found himself reconnecting with an old acquaintance, actress Linda Purl. Their love story unfolded in an unanticipated chapter of his life.
Rekindled through a group messaging chain, what began as friendly exchanges with Linda soon blossomed into deeper conversations. The digital world became their courting ground, with nightly Zoom calls stretching for hours. “We covered all that ground you’d normally cover over months of dating,” Patrick shared.
Eventually, Patrick decided to turn the virtual into reality by meeting her in person. His 20-hour drive to Linda’s home marked the beginning of a beautiful relationship. “From that moment, we were never apart,” he said, capturing the spirit of their new-found bond.
Linda saw their relationship as a beacon of hope, a testament to love’s resilience, regardless of age or circumstance. “Don’t ever give up,” she advised, expressing the surprises life holds. Their companionship reflected mature love, rooted in shared understanding and mutual joy.
To Patrick, this love was unexpected yet profound. He felt assured that Carlyn would be supportive of his happiness, as her teachings continue to guide him in seeking joy and love. Their newly blossomed relationship was even brought into their professional lives when they worked together on a film project, portraying a married couple. “It’s all positive and lovely,” Patrick described, viewing his relationship with Linda as a gift, one he never expected to receive a second time in life.
Ultimately, Patrick Duffy’s journey through love and loss is a profound reminder of love’s timelessness and its capacity to rejuvenate. His story of finding love again with Linda Purl after Carlyn Rosser is one that speaks to the possibilities life may offer, irrespective of one’s age. Even in the face of profound loss, Patrick Duffy embraces a new chapter, one filled with love, companionship, and continuity of the spiritual and emotional legacy Carlyn left behind.
