Patrick Swayze's wife forced to deny domestic abuse claims
Mia Smith Lisa Niemi is denying claims that she abused Patrick Swayze during their marriage. Photo / Getty Images
Patrick Swayze's wife has been forced to deny extraordinary claims she repeatedly beat her husband throughout their marriage.
The late actor was married to his former dance partner Lisa Niemi for 34 years before losing his battle with pancreatic cancer in September 2009. The Dirty Dancing star was 57 when he died.
US gossip website RadarOnline is reporting that Swayze was the victim of domestic violence, saying Niemi was "abusive" towards her husband, even when he was dying of cancer.
"She [Niemi] would beat on him and he would beat on the walls and furniture. They fought and I covered up a lot of that - they destroyed hotel rooms, cars, their house .... It was abusive," an unnamed longtime friend of the couple is quoted in the article.
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The childhood sweethearts met when they were 15 years old and were widely considered to have one of the strongest marriages in Hollywood.
The website also reports that Niemi had "several affairs with both men and women" during their marriage.
"As he got sick, he was defenceless," the source said. "She wouldn't hit him with stuff - she would claw at his arms and neck. She would punch and slap him."
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.The unnamed source also reportedly alleges that Niemi controlled Swayze's money and told him which movie roles he was allowed to take on.
Niemi has denied the shocking claims, with her spokesperson telling Gossip Cop, "None of it is true".
The couple married in 1975 before Swayze landed his breakout role alongside Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing in 1987.
He also starred in Ghost with Demi Moore, as well as hits Point Break and Donnie Darko.
For years after Swayze's death, Niemi announced her engagement to jeweller Albert DePrisco. The couple married in May 2014.
Where to get help:
If it is an emergency and you or someone you know is at risk, call 111.
• Women's Refuge: 0800 733 843
• Victim Support: 0800 842 846
• Lifeline: (09) 522 2999
• Family Violence Info Line: 0800 456 450
