Patrick Duffy Thought His Chance at True Love Was Over Until He Met His Soulmate Later in Life

Patrick Duffy faced profound heartbreak after losing his wife of over 40 years in 2017. Though he believed he would never recover, he unexpectedly found love again in his seventies.

Patrick Duffy shared a deep and enduring love with his wife for 43 years, building a family and a spiritual bond that defined his life. After her passing, he faced immense loss and spent years adjusting to life as a widower.

An unexpected reconnection showed Patrick Duffy that love could bloom again in the most surprising ways. His journey highlights the enduring love he shared with his first wife and the newfound happiness he discovered years after her passing.

A Love That Stood the Test of Time
Patrick Duffy’s life was forever changed when he met Carlyn Rosser during his senior year of college. Rosser, a talented ballet dancer with the First Chamber Dance Company of New York, was ten years his senior. Despite their age difference, they formed a deep connection that led to a marriage lasting 43 remarkable years.

Recalling their first meeting, Patrick Duffy shared, “I was an immature college graduate touring as [a] narrator with this dance production, and she was a beautiful ballerina 10 years older. We met on the tour bus, and that was it — for life.”

The couple married in 1974 at a Buddhist temple, a faith Rosser introduced to Duffy, which became a foundation of their relationship. That same year, they welcomed their first son, Padraic.

Early in their marriage, Patrick Duffy and Carlyn Rosser moved to New York, where Duffy pursued acting. While performing in Off-Broadway productions, he worked as a carpenter to support Rosser and their growing family.

Duffy’s acting career began gaining momentum in the late 1970s. After a period working as a house painter, he landed the role of Mark Harris in the TV series Man from Atlantis. In 1978, he secured his most iconic role as Bobby Ewing on Dallas.

Around this time, Patrick Duffy and Carlyn Rosser welcomed their second son, Conor. However, their bond faced a profound test in 1986 when Duffy’s parents were tragically murdered during a robbery at their tavern in Boulder, Montana.

The tragic event deeply shook Patrick Duffy, but he found strength in Carlyn Rosser and his Buddhist faith to navigate the pain. Reflecting on the experience, Duffy shared, “When my parents were murdered, I went through all the emotions of the horrific event — shock and anger and everything — but I never felt disconnected from [my parents].”

Patrick Duffy credited Buddhism for helping him process the tragedy of his parents’ murder, with Carlyn Rosser serving as his anchor through the ordeal. However, in 2017, Duffy faced an unimaginable loss when Rosser passed away at 77. Her death was a devastating shock to the family, and Duffy admitted he struggled to adapt to life without her.

Reflecting on his relationship with Carlyn, Patrick Duffy shared, “My wife and I, in 48 years, we were always together.” He also expressed, “It was a surprise when she passed. There was no indication. So that was the big adjustment.”

Six months after her death, Duffy took to X (formerly Twitter), writing, “On this day 6 months ago my heart stopped, yet I live on as she wishes. We will be together eternally. Thank you for the love and concern.”

During this challenging time, Patrick Duffy leaned on his sons for support, though he often felt it was his role to help them process their grief. He shared, “My boys were there as stalwarts. But I also realized that, as much as they were trying to buttress old Dad up, I’m probably more adjusted to this set of circumstances than they are.”

Despite his heartache, Patrick Duffy found comfort in the memories he shared with Carlyn Rosser. He said, “I feel close to her all the time.” He added, “[…] What I miss most is her touch.” Duffy also expressed a profound sense of gratitude for their time together, stating, “I have worked hard to make the best of life, and it’s been good to me.”

By 2019, Patrick Duffy had come to terms with life as a widower, though he still considered himself a married man. He shared, “I can hear her. I can see her. I know what she would expect of me, and I try and live up to that.”

The loss of Carlyn Rosser was deeply profound for Duffy, but her memory continued to guide him. Her impact on his life, both personally and spiritually, remained a source of strength as he moved forward — until, unexpectedly, love found him again.

A Love Rediscovered in an Unexpected Chapter
Patrick Duffy never imagined he’d fall in love again after the devastating loss of his wife. However, life often brings the most beautiful moments when least expected. At 71, he found a second chance at happiness with actress Linda Purl, a romance that blossomed during the quiet days of the pandemic.

Years earlier, Patrick Duffy and Linda Purl had been casual friends, but they lost touch over time. Their reconnection came unexpectedly through a group text with a mutual friend. As weeks went by, the group conversations gradually faded, leaving only Duffy and Purl to continue chatting.

What began as casual chats soon grew into nightly, hours-long Zoom calls. Patrick Duffy shared, “We Zoomed every single night for at least two to three hours. We explored all our history, our past, our loves. We listened to music together and covered all that ground you normally cover over months of dating.”

Once their connection felt undeniable, Patrick Duffy decided to meet Linda Purl in person. He shared, “I loaded up my car and drove 20 hours and ended up on her doorstep just to see if it was real.” From that moment, the two became inseparable.

Linda Purl described their journey as “a very Victorian process,” noting how they took their time building a connection before it blossomed into romance. Patrick Duffy, reflecting on the experience, expressed his surprise at finding love again, saying, “I never thought for a minute this would happen again. I never thought I’d feel this way again.”

Their connection was so natural that it seamlessly extended into their professional lives. In 2021, Patrick Duffy and Linda Purl played a married couple in a television movie. For Duffy, the experience was unlike anything he’d encountered in his career. He shared, “It’s the first time in my entire career that I got up in the morning with my costar and then walked to the set holding hands. The chemistry works, offstage and on. And always being together and not being afraid to show affection was so enjoyable.”

Their relationship reflected a sense of maturity and purpose, distinct from youthful romances. Patrick Duffy explained, “You get to a point where you think, ‘It’s all about her. How do I get her to smile?'” He added, “We’ve eliminated all the trial and errors that happen in [younger] relationships. It’s all positive and lovely.”

For Linda Purl, their love story carried a message of hope. She shared, “Life is full of surprises, both good and bad. Patrick and I weren’t looking for this. We didn’t expect it or see it coming when our paths crossed. Don’t ever give up.”

Patrick Duffy believes his late wife would have supported his newfound happiness. He shared, “I feel, quite honestly, that it is keeping with the desires of my wife, the fact that we are intended to be happy. So when it’s offered, think about it, do whatever you do, but don’t let it pass you up if it’s the right thing.”

In November, Linda Purl shared a sweet photo on Instagram of herself and Patrick Duffy smiling as they enjoyed their travels in Italy. Social media users responded with admiration, commenting, “Gorgeous Couple♥️,” “❤️❤️❤️such cuties,” and “Beautiful couple ❤️.” One user also wrote, “You’re a good looking couple. God bless! ❤️❤️❤️.”

Patrick Duffy’s journey is a testament to the enduring nature of love and the possibility of starting anew. After spending decades with his late wife, Carlyn Rosser, her memory continues to live within him, even as he has found happiness once again with Linda Purl.