Patrick Swayze’s widow reveals actor’s first subtle symptoms of cancer

Last photo

Patrick Swayze’s widow, Lisa Niemi, faced a tough choice when deciding whether to share a deeply personal photograph of her late husband in her memoir.

The image, taken in the final days of Swayze’s life in 2009, shows the beloved actor frail, bald, and asleep as he neared the end of his battle with pancreatic cancer.

Initially, Niemi had no intention of ever using the photo, but while writing her book, Worth Fighting For: Love, Loss & Moving Forward, she found herself drawn to the image. She ultimately decided to include it, even though she questioned whether Swayze, known for his pride and strength, would have approved.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight on January 3, 2012, the day she posted the photo online, Niemi reflected on her difficult decision.