Iconic pop singer Pat Boone was married to his wife Shirley for 66 years before she died. Though it has been a tough transition without his lifelong partner, he still tries to live his life. The singer still stylishly plays golf and spends time with his four daughters.
Pat Boone is a renowned pop singer who became famous in the 1950s and 60s. The singer has not only had a long-standing career, but his marriage with his wife, Shirley Boone, lasted decades.
The couple's love story goes back to when they were 16. Despite how young they were, Boone said they were very much in love.
Pat Boone photographed in 1960 | Source: Getty Images
The hitmaker decided to take things to the next step when he realized Shirley's family would be moving. Boone courageously asked Shirley's father, Ted Foley, for his blessing to marry his daughter.
Foley, a country singing legend, was emotional about Boone's request. Looking at the situation, the country singer realized that Boone would be the one to look after his daughter.
Pat Boone photographed in 1960 | Source: Getty Images
Therefore, Foley asked, "Will you take care of my girl?" and Bone promised he would. Foley shed a tear when it hit him that his family would be moving away without Shirley.
Nonetheless, the couple went on with their plans, eloped in 1953, and planted their roots in Teaneck, New Jersey, where they welcomed their four children, Debby, Cherry, Linda, and Laurey.
They stood together and supported each other's career endeavors. Boone was working hard to finish his studies at Columbia University and managed to graduate cum laude.
Pat Boone with his family photographed in 1957 | Source: Getty Images
In the same instance, he had a growing singing career. He was so big that he was neck on neck with legendary singer Elvis Presley on the charts. As Boone transformed his life, Shirley focused on raising their children.
Eventually, the Boone family moved to Beverly Hills, where they lived for 50 years and saw their 16 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren grow up. After being together for over six decades, Boone said he and Shirley went on their second and third honeymoon to keep their marriage alive.
Shirley Boone and Pat Boone photographed in 1979 | Source: Getty Images
But as the "Love Letters" singer looked back at his time with his wife, he revealed that Shirley was most fulfilled when she was a good mother, wife, and grandmother and brought peace into her home. Despite being a homemaker, Shirley was also a recording artist, best-selling author, TV host, and humanitarian.
Although the couple had a marriage of many decades, Boone admitted that things were not perfect, but it helped that he had a devoted partner.
Shirley Boone and Pat Boone in Los Angeles in 2013 | Source: Getty Images
Therefore, the secret behind their long-lasting union was keeping their promises to each other. "You make your commitments to God and each other, and in troubled times, you hang on to the commitment to God and your kids." reiterated Boone.
Pat Boone Still Looks Stylish as a Grandpa to 16 Grandkids
Unfortunately, Boone lost his life partner in 2018. Shirley died at 84, and her husband lives alone in their Beverly Hills home.
However, the transition to living alone has not been easy because Boone still misses his beloved wife. Now he lives with the housekeeper and his dog. "I am doing fine. I mean, gosh, I miss her," he confessed.
Shirley did not only leave an impact on her husband, but she left her children with a lot of lessons. The best-selling author realized her children had an interest in the entertainment industry, and the first advice she gave them was to listen to their grammy-winning father.
So, Boone told his children that the most essential part of being a performer is to be yourself because it allows the artists and the audience to be comfortable.
Boone's daughter Debby also witnessed her father practice what he preached and confirmed that her parents always treated everyone they met as if they were guests in their home.
The 88-year-old shared a picture of him playing gold with the proper attire. He wore a yellow cardigan, black checkered shorts, black socks, and white sneakers. He topped it off with a white cap.
Fans were happy to see the long-time performer still looking fresh and active. "Sharp looking outfit!! Commented a user. "You are looking good," added another fan.
Even though the Boone family had to deal with the heartbreaking loss of their mother, the pop singer has kept his brood close.
Debby shared an adorable picture of her and her sister Linda out for dinner to celebrate their father's 88th birthday. Boone had his arms wrapped around both his daughters with a big smile on his face.
Pat Boone Reveals the Success of His 65 Years of Marriage
Looking back at his 66-year marriage, Boone cannot believe how far he and Shirley have come. He confessed that there was a time he did not think their marriage would last.
After the singer graduated from university and his singing career grew, he was unaware that having four children would take a toll on Shirely's body.
When he was around 23 years old, he remembered how he would try to kiss Shirley, and she immediately told him to stop. It almost felt like she was sickened by affection.
Boone admitted that it was painful for him to be rejected by his wife and often wondered where their marriage would end up.
However, after years of patience and understanding that his wife's body was evolving, the two worked things out in a way they knew best, through the church.
Pat Boone in Los Angeles in 2017 | Source: Getty Images
The couple decided to get baptized, and while they went into the process without any expectation of a supernatural intervention, they realized that the pain they endured was not in vain.
Shirley and Boone realized the many things that needed to be corrected in their marriage but felt secure in their commitment to their church and being in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
After overcoming these hurdles, Boone was grateful to get to a point where he was not looking for anything else to fulfill him; he was blessed enough to have opportunities come to him.
The singer expressed that his life consisted of movies, books, and songs, which he still actively recorded and wrote.
However, despite all the accolades under his name, Boone is most proud of his marriage. "My greatest accomplishment is our marriage of 65 years in Hollywood," he said.
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