If there's one name synonymous with American entertainment history, it's Pat Boone. The legendary entertainer still resides in the same Beverly Hills home he and his beloved wife, Shirley, purchased in 1960. Shirley, who tragically passed away in January 2019 after battling vasculitis, remains close to Pat’s heart. “I talk to her all the time,” Pat shares warmly, as if she’s still just a room away.
A Home Filled with Memories
Pat’s sprawling Beverly Hills estate isn’t just a house—it’s a time capsule filled with cherished memories and mementos from his seven-decade career. Despite the loss of his lifelong companion, Pat has no intention of leaving this place that has been the backdrop of so many happy moments. “I’m living here alone, but I’m not lonely,” he tells Closer magazine. “I’ve got my housekeeper, and my little cocker spaniel, Shadow, keeps me company.” Pat chuckles as he sings softly, “It’s just me and my shadow, all alone and feeling blue.” But then his expression softens, “I’m doing fine, though I miss her every day.”
Family and Faith: The Pillars of Strength
In the wake of Shirley’s passing, Pat, now 86, leans on the same values that have always guided him: his unwavering faith and the love of his family. Pat and Shirley married young, both just 19, and went on to raise four daughters, including the talented singer Debby Boone, known for her hit “You Light Up My Life.”
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Pat credits his faith for helping him navigate the ups and downs of life. “Our marriage was a commitment not only to each other but to God,” he explains. “We’ve always made our own decisions, but we’ve been guided by something greater. I’ve always been willing to follow the right path, even when it’s challenging.”
A Career Built on Talent and Integrity
Throughout his career, Pat faced criticism for being too wholesome, but his dedication to his principles never wavered. His music soared to the top of the charts with hits like 1961’s “Moody River,” and his films, such as 1962’s State Fair with Ann-Margret, became box-office sensations. Despite the occasional jabs about being a "Goody Two-Shoes," Pat remained grounded and true to himself.
Pat’s commitment to equality and justice is evident in his career choices. Recently, he revisited a song he penned in 1992, inspired by the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles. Titled “Can’t We Get Along,” the song resonates even more deeply today, especially in the wake of George Floyd’s death. “I thought, this song is even more relevant now than it was back then,” Pat says. He insisted that the track be performed by the talented black artist Wendy Moten, showcasing his continued support for diversity in the arts.
Pushing Boundaries from the Start
Pat’s career was marked by bold moves from the very beginning. In the late 1950s, he invited groundbreaking black artists like Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald to appear on his television show, The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom. Reflecting on his early years, Pat marvels at how quickly his career took off. “I was the youngest guy ever to have my own network music variety show—at just 22 years old!” he recalls. At the time, Pat hadn’t even graduated from Columbia University, where he enrolled because he “didn’t expect the entertainment thing to last.”
Despite his rapid rise to fame, Pat never lost sight of what truly mattered. He was already married and expecting his fourth child when his career exploded. “It was all so incredible,” he admits. “But I always stayed true to Shirley.” Even when it came to screen kisses, Pat sought Shirley’s approval. For instance, he asked her permission before sharing a kiss with Shirley Jones in the 1957 film April Love.
Shirley, the daughter of country singer Red Foley, understood the pitfalls of fame all too well. Pat recalls her advising him, “‘There’s going to be some kissing involved, but just promise me one thing: You won’t enjoy it.’ I said, ‘OK, I promise.’” And he kept that promise, even during a period when he admitted to “having drinks and staying out late.” “It could have broken up our marriage, but we recommitted ourselves,” he says. “Marriage and family were always our top priority.”
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Looking Forward with Hope
Pat’s faith gives him hope for the future, even without Shirley by his side. “Before she passed, I’d written a song called ‘You and I,’” he tells Closer. “It expresses the belief that eventually we’ll be together again in heaven.”
In the meantime, Pat continues to create, working on new music and a faith-based book titled If. He counts his blessings daily, reflecting on his greatest accomplishment: “Our 65-year marriage in Hollywood, being an entertainer, and raising four wonderful kids. We’ve had an amazing life.”
For this story and more, check out the latest issue of Closer magazine, available now on newsstands!
