Patrick Swayze’s widow Lisa Niemi spoke for the first time about losing her husband six weeks ago.
She shared powerful words with a women’s conference on Tuesday 27 Oct. that her grief was overwhelming and that she could feel it with every cell of her being.
Read what she had to say, and see six photos of Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi.
“When the grief takes you, it’s like your body is not your own,” Niemi, who was married to the actor for 34 years, said during a roundtable discussion on Grief, Healing and Resilience at the Women’s Conference 2009 in Long Beach, Calif. “I’m just going with the flow. I know I have to go through it.”
Speaking for the first time since Swayze’s death, Niemi says she’s relied on a close group of friends to get through some of her darker hours. “I have a few girlfriends that are just amazing. They have made themselves available to me 24/7. They say, ‘We don’t care if it’s 2 in the morning, call me’,” says Niemi, her blond hair pulled back into a loose bun and wearing an all-black dress. “I was in the middle of a full-blown panic attack one evening … and I picked up the phone and called one, which is really hard for me to do because I’m used to being so self-sufficient and taking care of myself, but the very act of picking the phone up to call someone helped to calm me.” (via People)
Video from Entertainment Tonight showing Lisa Niemi at Women’s Conference.
Image credit to Fame Pictures. Story & quotes via People.
Well I certainly feel with her, he was a great person, he could most probably have made his pick with women, yet he stayed true to her (as far as I know).
However, on the other hand I have loads of respect for her, it must have been hell for her, yet she stuck to his side untill the end. Pity that he had to die so young! At least he was an asset and a good example to the celebrity community, which is more than you can say for loads of those still alive.
Colin
So far as I knew of, he was loyal. I think they were a sweet couple and role models of a different breed of Hollywood – ones not quite so hedonistic.
I agree with you, they were a sweet couple, best of all, they never made the gossip columns, and yes, they set a great example.
Colin.
I feel so bad for her. I can’t imagine losing the focus of your love and attention after 34 years. It must be devastating.
Oh, by the way Amy…my aunt passed away this Friday. We buried her yesterday. She seems to have died in her sleep. I told my family it would come before the end of this month and it did. That year working in a hospital in Texas (Parkland in Dallas) served me well. And thanks for your kind words and the concern of your readers. You have a really cool bunch of regulars here. Now, I have to email pics of the funeral to one cousin in Texas. I’ve been a stranger this past month. But I’ll be back to my snarky self soon.
Lisa spoke so well, so soon, about how she felt and was dealing with her loss, I kind of feel bad for her too still.
Rain – I’m the kind of person who will always want to engage in conversation with readers. The people who stop by are very bright and engaging, and the least I can do is take the time to foster conversation – most site owners don’t, I do.
I am so very sorry to hear about your aunt. On behalf of the other people on my site too, I’d like to offer my condolences. I hope she is in a better place, and it sounds like at least she was well looked after in her final days.
You’re very much part of this site, and one of its most valued community members. I hope that as the tone of the site lightens, as I move out from under my own grey cloud, at least I might be a welcome distraction and able to lighten your mood every now and again. xo