Patrick Swayze's death – cancer, heartbreaking last words and bitter will battle

Hollywood icon Patrick Swayze grooved his way into audience’s hearts when he played Johnny in iconic eighties classic Dirty Dancing.

However more than two decades later, the beloved star died at the age of 57 years old after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

His death sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans and entertainment stars from across the world, with Patrick fondly remembered for his brave and caring nature.

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In the years since his death on September 14, 2009, Patrick’s wife has also has spoken about her husband – and revealed the final words that he said to her.

Cancer battle

In 2008, Patrick was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer.

He had been suffering stomach pains and in his first interview following his diagnosis, the star told ABC news: “My indigestion issues got gigantic and constant.

“And then I started thinking, I’m getting skinny. I dropped about 20 pounds in the blink of an eye.

“And then when you see it in the mirror, when all of a sudden, you pull your eyes down and the bottom of your eyes go yellow and jaundice sets in — then you know something’s wrong.”

Six months after his diagnosis, he described himself during an interview with The New York Times as “a miracle dude,” as he had surpassed the life expectancy that he had been given.

He also continued to work while receiving treatment for the cancer, saying: “How do you nurture a positive attitude when all the statistics say you’re a dead man? You go to work.”

Patrick continued: “There is probably that little bird that flies through your insides and says, ‘I sure would like to make a mark in life.’

“I’ve made a pretty decent mark so far, nothing to scoff at. But it does make you think: Wait a minute. There’s more I want to do. Lots more. Get on with it.”

However following treatment for his cancer, including chemotherapy and surgery, the actor was told that his cancer had spread to his liver.

The actor slipped into a coma while at home and on September 14, 2009, Patrick died at the age of 57 years old, surrounded by his family.

His ashes were later scattered at his ranch in New Mexico.

Heartbreaking last words

When Patrick was 18 years old, he met the love of his life, the writer and director Lisa Niemi.

Patrick’s mother was Lisa’s dance instructor, and speaking about the first time they danced together, Lisa told Good Housekeeping magazine: “We walked out on stage. I looked in his eyes, it was like everything came alive.”

A talented dancer herself, Lisa also inspired Patrick’s Dirty Dancing soundtrack song She’s Like The Wind.

The couple married in 1975, but did not have any children.

Speaking about the star during the Maria Shriver’s women’s conference in California in 2009, Lisa also said that she wished she had told him that she loved him more often.

“I am so grateful for what I had and my connection to him, and part of me believes that I will see him again,” she said.

“And I’m just going to have to go on until then.

“I thought during the 22 months of my husband’s illness that it gave me all this time to get used to the idea of losing him.”

In her 2011 book Worth Fighting For, Lisa also shared the couple’s final heartbreaking words to each other before the actor’s death.

She said: “My last words to Patrick? ‘I love you,” adding, “and those were his last words to me.”

Tributes

Fans and stars from the world of entertainment paid tribute to Patrick Swayze following his death, including his Ghost co-star Demi Moore.

Using the words of his character Sam in her emotional Twitter tribute, she said: “In the words of Sam to Molly, ‘It’s amazing, Molly. The love inside, you take it with you.’

“I love and will miss you. You are loved by so many and your light will forever shine in all of our lives.”

Patrick’s The Outsider’s co-star Rob Lowe also said that the actor’s death was like “losing a brother.”

“He lived a thousand lifetimes in one lifetime. He was an expert dancer, he wrote hit songs, he starred in hit movies, he was an amazing horseman.

“But the thing I will remember him most for was his amazing love affair with his wife Lisa. He played my brother twice, in The Outsiders when I was 17, and then in Youngblood. Tonight I lost a brother.”

Brookside actress Claire Sweeney who starred in Guys and Dolls with Patrick also said in a statement: “I feel very lucky to have had both Patrick and his wife Lisa in my life as friends.

“He was a wonderful brave man, a great talent and a sensitive and caring friend. I’m very saddened by the news and I will miss him.”

Eye-watering fortune and family ‘feud’

It is reported that at the time of his death, Patrick Swayze had an estimated net worth of over £33m.

Along with the fortune amassed from starring in films including The Outsiders, Ghost, Dirty Dancing and Road House, the star also had a mansion in the San Fernando Valley.

Following his death, it was revealed that he had left his entire fortune to wife Lisa.

However, in the months before, Patrick had reportedly given his mother Patsy a house and a monthly allowance, which she continued to receive until her death in 2013.

It is reported that there was also a ‘feud’ between members of Patrick’s family, after Lisa decided to sell their Californian ranch.

It is claimed that the family wanted to turn the ranch into a museum dedicated to the beloved Hollywood star, and had opposed the selling of the property.

However, the ranch later sold for £2.4m.

The Express also reported that Patrick’s niece had begged Lisa not to sell items belonging to her uncle, including his leather jacket from Dirty Dancing.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk