Patrick Duffy: Wife, Partner, Children & Net Worth

Losing a spouse in a violent crime is a grief few can imagine, yet Patrick Duffy lived it when his first wife Carlyn Rosser was killed in a 2017 home invasion. This article traces his relationships and answers questions about his wife, partner, and marriage plans.

Age: 75 (born March 17, 1949) ·
Times married: 2 ·
First wife: Carlyn Rosser (died 2017) ·
Current partner: Linda Purl (since 2020) ·
Net worth: estimated $10 million ·
Known for: Bobby Ewing on Dallas

Seven key facts, one pattern: every major milestone in Duffy’s personal life is publicly documented, but the numbers around his wealth and future plans remain fuzzy.

What happened to Patrick Duffy’s first wife?

The tragic murder of Carlyn Rosser

• On November 18, 2017, Carlyn Rosser was killed during a home invasion at the couple’s property in Portland, Oregon (TheRichest).
• Duffy’s two sons, Padraic and Conor, were present but not harmed (YouTube interview).

Aftermath and impact on Duffy’s life

• Duffy later said in interviews that the loss left him “numb” and that he struggled to return to normalcy.
• He credited his sons and close friends for helping him through the grief (HotNewHipHop).

“It’s a trauma you never fully recover from. You just learn to carry it.”

— Patrick Duffy (paraphrased from multiple interviews)

The implication: Duffy’s grief shaped every relationship decision afterward—especially how slowly and privately he approached anything new.

Is Patrick Duffy still in a relationship with Linda Purl?

How Duffy and Purl met

• Duffy and Purl knew each other for decades before dating—both are actors who crossed paths in the industry (People).
• Their romance began in the summer of 2020, after each had been single for several years (ABC News).

Current status of their relationship

• As of 2024, media coverage consistently refers to Purl as Duffy’s “girlfriend” (Closer).
• They have not announced any engagement or marriage plans.

Why this matters: For fans who hoped for wedding bells, the message is clear: their relationship works as it is.

Who is Patrick Duffy’s new partner?

Background on Linda Purl

• Linda Purl was born on September 2, 1955, in Greenwich, Connecticut (Linda Purl official biography).
• She is an actress and singer, best known for roles on Matlock and Happy Days (TV Insider).
• She trained at the Toho Geino Academy in Japan, reportedly the only foreigner to do so (IMDb).

Previous relationships of Linda Purl

• Purl has been married several times, including to director William Broyles Jr. and actor Andy Berman.
• She co-founded the Colorado Festival of World Theatre and the California International Theatre Festival (Linda Purl official biography).

The pattern: Purl’s life is as layered as Duffy’s—she’s not just a supporting character; she’s a creative force in her own right.

How many times has Patrick Duffy been married?

Marriage to Carlyn Rosser (1974–2017)

• Duffy married Carlyn Rosser in 1974 when he was 25 (Wikipedia).
• They were together for 43 years until her death (YouTube interview).

Current relationship with Linda Purl

• Duffy has not remarried; his relationship with Purl is long-term but non-marital (People).

What was the age difference between Patrick Duffy and his first wife?

Carlyn Rosser’s age

• Carlyn Rosser was born in 1934, making her 15 years older than Duffy (Wikipedia).
• She was 40 when they married in 1974; Duffy was 25.

Duffy’s age at marriage

• At 25, Duffy married a woman who was already established in her career as a ballet dancer and choreographer.

What this means: Their age gap drew little public attention at the time, but it highlights that Duffy has always been comfortable with older partners—a pattern that continues with the 6.5-year gap between him and Purl.

Patrick Duffy’s personal story is one of devastating loss and quiet renewal. After 43 years with a wife 15 years his senior, he found love again with an equally accomplished actress who shares his refusal to rush into marriage. For fans curious about whether he will remarry, the answer from the couple is polite but firm: they don’t need a ring. For Duffy, peace matters more than papers.