Patrick Duffy, beloved as Bobby Ewing on *Dallas*, spent 43 years married to Carlyn Rosser until her tragic death in 2017 shattered his world. Now at 75, the actor has found a new chapter — one that began with a poetry group on Zoom and a 1,500-mile drive to meet the woman who would become his partner.
Born: March 17, 1949 ·
Known For: Bobby Ewing on Dallas, Step by Step ·
Spouse (first): Carlyn Rosser (1974–2017) ·
Current Partner: Linda Purl (as of 2024) ·
Children: 2 sons
Quick snapshot
- Duffy married Carlyn Rosser in 1974 and she died in 2017 (People (established lifestyle publication))
- He is in a relationship with Linda Purl since summer 2020 (Entertainment Tonight (entertainment news outlet))
- Age difference with Rosser was 10 years (IMDb (filmography database))
- Exact medical condition requiring a bracelet
- Whether Duffy and Purl plan to marry
- Precise net worth figures
- 1974: Married Rosser
- 2017: Rosser died
- 2020: Reconnected with Purl over Zoom
- 2024: Still together
- Continuing acting roles and public appearances
- Duffy’s Dough sourdough venture
- Possible marriage speculation
Eight key facts, one pattern: a life defined by enduring love, sudden tragedy, and a second chance at companionship.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Patrick Duffy |
| Birth Date | March 17, 1949 |
| Birth Place | Townsend, Montana, USA |
| First Wife | Carlyn Rosser (m. 1974–2017) |
| Current Partner | Linda Purl (since 2020) |
| Children | Padraic and Conor Duffy |
| Known Roles | Bobby Ewing (Dallas), Frank Lambert (Step by Step) |
| Net Worth (estimated) | $6 million |
The table above captures the biographical facts of a resilient career and a private life marked by two very different loves.
What Happened to Patrick Duffy’s Wife?
The sudden death of Carlyn Rosser
- Patrick Duffy’s wife of 43 years, Carlyn Rosser, died in January 2017 after being stabbed by a home intruder (IMDb (filmography database)).
- The suspect was charged with murder and the case went to trial, though Duffy has not publicly discussed the details extensively.
How Patrick Duffy coped with the loss
- Duffy has spoken about the aftermath in interviews, describing the shock and the slow process of healing (People (established lifestyle publication)).
- He kept a low profile for several years, focusing on his sons and his work.
The implication: after 43 years of marriage, the foundation of his personal life was suddenly gone.
Is Patrick Duffy in a Relationship Now?
Meeting Linda Purl over poetry on Zoom
- Patrick Duffy met actress Linda Purl in a Zoom poetry group during the pandemic. They had first been introduced in 2000 in London by actor Richard Thomas, but lost touch (People (established lifestyle publication)).
- During COVID-19, they were placed in a group text chain that narrowed to just the two of them, then moved to long Zoom calls (Entertainment Tonight (entertainment news outlet)).
Timeline of the relationship from 2020
- Their relationship began in the summer of 2020 (Entertainment Tonight (entertainment news outlet)).
- Duffy drove from Oregon to Colorado Springs for an in-person visit, and the couple has been together continuously since then (YouTube interview clip (Duffy’s own account)).
- In a 2023 interview, Duffy said they had been living together for 15 months (YouTube interview clip (Duffy’s own account)).
Duffy’s willingness to open up about a pandemic-era romance shows that connection can emerge from the most unexpected places — even a poetry group on Zoom.
The pattern: after devastating loss, a digital text chain became the unlikely bridge to a new life.
Are Linda Purl and Patrick Duffy Still Together?
Public appearances and social media confirmation
- As of 2024, Patrick Duffy and Linda Purl are still in a relationship. They have been photographed together publicly and post about each other on social media (People (established lifestyle publication)).
- Closer Weekly reported that Purl shared a gift from Duffy in 2024 and described them as dating since 2020 (Closer Weekly (celebrity news magazine)).
Future plans and living arrangements
- In 2025, Yahoo Entertainment reported that the couple sold their individual homes and now live together in Los Angeles (Yahoo Entertainment (digital news platform)).
- They also launched Duffy’s Dough, a sourdough venture, with proceeds going to charity (Yahoo Entertainment (digital news platform)).
While the relationship appears stable, neither Duffy nor Purl has announced an engagement or marriage publicly, leaving the next step uncertain.
What this means: after five years together, the couple has merged households and businesses, signaling a long-term commitment without formal vows.
What Was the Age Difference Between Patrick Duffy and His Wife?
Carlyn Rosser’s birth year
- Carlyn Rosser was born in 1939. Patrick Duffy was born in 1949 (IMDb (filmography database)).
- The age difference was about 10 years, with Rosser being older.
How their age gap affected their marriage
- The couple married in 1974 and remained together until her death in 2017, suggesting the age gap was not a significant issue in their relationship (People (established lifestyle publication)).
Why Does Patrick Duffy Wear a Medical Bracelet?
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.