For decades, Engelbert Humperdinck has serenaded the world with timeless love songs. But few knew the depth of the love he lived offstage. In a moving interview on Loose Women, the music legend shared the heartbreaking story of his wife Patricia’s battle with Alzheimer’s—an illness that slowly took away the woman he courted, carried, and cherished for over 50 years.
Their love story was something out of a romantic film. Humperdinck fondly recalled their humble beginnings, when they had no money for taxis, and he would carry Patricia down a long, muddy lane to catch the bus. She’d carefully tuck her boots into the hedgerow to avoid ruining them—a moment so tender it still brings a smile to his face. After seven years of courtship, they married and built a life together—one filled with music, family, and deep devotion.
But ten years ago, everything changed. Patricia was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and the world they knew began to slip away. Engelbert kept her condition private for years, though many fans noticed something was amiss when she attended his shows. “I was never ashamed,” he said. “I always brought her to the show, hoping she’d recognize me.”
The emotional weight of performing love songs while his own heart quietly broke was something few could understand. “When you’re singing something very sentimental, your eyes fill up… you do break down at times,” he admitted. “The audience doesn’t always know why.”
After a decade of watching the woman he loved fade into memory, Engelbert now hopes to be a voice for others. He spoke candidly about using his platform to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research, hoping that his pain might bring purpose. “People in show business can help,” he said. “And I’d like to be one of them.”
His latest album, Engelbert Humperdinck 50, includes songs dedicated to Patricia—a tribute to their enduring love and a reminder that even in heartbreak, there can be beauty.
Their story is one of devotion, vulnerability, and quiet strength. As Alzheimer’s took its toll, Engelbert never walked away. He sang for her, carried her through the dark, and now, he’s speaking out in her honor—proving that real love doesn’t end with memory. It endures.