Patrick Swayze's Widow Recalls the 'Contentious' Start of Their 34-Year Romance
"He had a kind of reputation as a Casanova; I had a reputation as a bad girl," Lisa Niemi said on the 'Amy and T.J. Podcast'
Ron Davis/Getty Images
Lisa Niemi (L) and Patrick Swayze (R) in 1996Patrick Swayze’s widow Lisa Niemi is opening up about how her romance with the beloved actor began.
During an interview on the April 8 episode of the Amy and T.J. Podcast, Niemi — who has since remarried jeweler Albert DePrisco — shared new details about her 34-year relationship with her first husband.
“We had a little contentious start because ... he had a kind of reputation as a Casanova; I had a reputation as a bad girl, and we were supposed to stay away from each other,” Niemi, 67, said.
“It’s really funny what some people know, and I knew before we were done that something was going to happen between us that was significant and I had every confidence in every bone that that was going to happen," she added.
Frazer Harrison/Getty
Patrick Swayze (L) and Lisa Niemi (R) in 2006Niemi and Swayze were married in 1975, and remained so until his death in 2009. The Dirty Dancing star died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 57.
During her interview, she went on to add that despite feeling an instant spark, she had no idea that her relationship with Swayze would evolve into such a long and loving marriage.
“I didn’t know it would culminate in a very longterm marriage," Niemi said. "But I was only, like, 16 at that time, so I wasn’t exactly marrying myself off yet.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
When asked by hosts T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach if there was truth to Swayze's reputation as a "womanizer," Niemi shared that the Road House actor was "very gentlemanly."
“He had quite a significant amount of girlfriends... of course he was very handsome and sought after, but I think he was looking for something more than just fooling around,” she continued. “He wasn’t a womanizer, he was very gentlemanly.”
Niemi went on to say, “He would open the door for me and I’d freak out about that – 'I can open up my own door!' He actually liked that because he was going places and he was going to be doing things and he wanted somebody to come along that could do ‘em with him. Not just sit and file their nails.”
Denise Truscello/WireImage
Patrick Swayze (L) and Lisa Niemi (R) in 2007Meanwhile, the writer and dancer also revealed how she and Swayze first met through the actor's mother, Yvonne Helen "Patsy" Swayze, who was a film choreographer.
“My first dance teacher was his mom, so that’s how we met,” Niemi said. “He was my first dance partner.”
Related: Road House 2: All About the Forgotten 2006 Straight-to-Video Sequel Starring Johnathon Schaech
Describing the first time she and Swayze danced on stage together, she continued, “You know when something clicks. He presents his hand to me and the lights were on ... and I put my hand in his and we looked in each other’s eyes and it was like 'BANG!' and this incredible magic happened at this moment.”
“We pretty much stayed dance partners for the next 34 years,” she said.
Since Swayze's death, Niemi has worked to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer, and the importance of early detection.
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.