You’ve probably heard of Patrick Swayze, right?
He’s the actor who was named the “Sexiest Man Alive” in 1991. He’s best known for starring in several high-rating blockbuster movies, like Dirty Dancing and Ghost.
Remember him? Well, before he was a successful movie star, he was the brother of Vickie Lynn Swayze.
Interviews with Patrick Swayze confirm that his sister, Vickie Lynn, was his reason for leading a better life.
How did this happen? Read ahead to find out more.
Vickie Lynn: Early Life
Vickie Lynn was the oldest of the Swayze children. She was followed by four more siblings: Don, Sean, Patrick, and Bambi.
The first four siblings were born to the same parents. Yet, Bambi Swayze was their adopted sister from South Korea.
Patsy Swayze, their mother, was a manager for the Houston Jazz Ballet Company. She became a recognized choreographer in the United States, while their father, Jesse, was an engineer.
Despite staying married, the Swayze children knew there were constant problems between their parents. Their father even threatened their mother with divorce many times. This took a toll on Vickie Lynn.
Vickie Lynn: Career and Death
Born in 1949 in Houston, Texas, Vickie Lynn was exposed to dancing at an early age because of her mother’s profession. Her career, although brief, revolved around acting, singing, and dancing.
The rest of the Swayze siblings also had their own participation in the entertainment industry. Yet, it was Patrick who had the most successful career in showbiz with his phenomenal movie portrayals.
Despite her successful career, Vickie Lynn had always struggled with depression. Sadly, after years of her silent struggle, Vickie Lynn took her own life.
She overdosed on painkillers, ending her life on December 2, 1994. Vickie Lynn was only 45 years old.
Her sudden death shook the family, especially Patrick.
The Aftermath
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Patrick was one of the family members that took Vickie Lynn’s death hard. He felt a certain responsibility for his sister’s death because he couldn’t prevent it.
Adding to the continuous deaths of important people in his life, like his father, manager, and then his sister, Patrick felt cursed. Eventually, he was able to open up about his thoughts on his sister’s death and what it did to his life.
Patrick confessed that Vickie Lynn couldn’t take her own life. However, many people are compelled to do so because life can be awfully unfair. He felt that people who can’t cope with the extreme hardships are those who eventually commit suicide.
Because of this, Patrick decided to honor Vickie Lynn’s life by turning his life around. Unfortunately, with news surrounding his substance abuse, it would’ve been easy to fall into more addiction.
However, for Patrick, this was a sign to reinvent himself, living an honorable life for his sister’s sake.
Patrick’s habits and character soon improved and took a turn for the better. Throughout his mourning, he managed to stay away from alcohol and drugs. He even supported his mother and siblings during their tough times.
Unfortunately, Patrick also succumbed to the painful death of cancer at the age of 57.
The Swayze Family Now
The Swayze family is still not free from the public’s eye.
In 2019, Paramount Network released a documentary on Patrick Swayze. It focuses on his journey as a multi-talented actor and pop culture icon. It also opened the discussion around abuse and his relationship with his mother.
With all the Swayzes’ accomplishments, it’s definitely worth keeping them in people’s memories.
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