Patricia Panella is best known as the first wife of American tap dancer and actor Gregory Hines. The couple married in 1968 and had one daughter, Daria Hines, before divorcing in 1973.
Patricia lived a much more private life than Gregory. Little is publicly known about her early life, education, or career. In later years, she reportedly remained close to Daria and shared family moments on Instagram.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Patricia Panella |
| Date of birth | Not publicly confirmed |
| Age | Not publicly confirmed |
| Birthplace | Not publicly confirmed |
| Profession | Not publicly known |
| Known for | Gregory Hines’ first wife |
| Ex-husband | Gregory Hines |
| Married | 1968 |
| Divorced | 1973 |
| Child | Daria Hines |
| Siblings | At least one sister reported |
| Net worth | Not reliably known |
| Social media | Reportedly active on Instagram |
Who Is Patricia Panella?
Patricia Panella became publicly known through her marriage to Gregory Hines.
Gregory was a famous tap dancer, actor, musician, and Broadway performer. Patricia was his first wife.
They were married for about five years and had one daughter together.
Patricia did not build the same kind of public career as Gregory. Most information available about her concerns their marriage, daughter, and later family life.
Patricia Panella’s Age and Birthday
Patricia’s exact date of birth has not been publicly confirmed.
A report says she shared photos from a birthday celebration on April 27, 2017. However, this does not confirm that April 27 is her actual birthday.
Her exact age is also unknown.
Her Early Life and Family
Very little is publicly known about Patricia’s childhood.
Her birthplace and the names of her parents are not given in the information reviewed.
Patricia appears to have at least one sister. In August 2019, she reportedly shared an Instagram photo of herself with her sister in a garden.
Her sister’s name is not publicly known from the information available.
Patricia Panella’s Education and Career
There is no reliable information about Patricia’s education.
Her profession is also not publicly clear.
There is no strong information showing that she worked in acting, dancing, or another part of the entertainment industry.
How Did Patricia Panella Meet Gregory Hines?
Patricia reportedly met Gregory while he was working at a resort in the Catskills in New York.
The story was included in the book Gregory Hines by Dennis Abrams and Gina De Angelis.
Gregory was reportedly around 22 years old at the time.
According to the account, a group of young women were spending time in a laundry room at the resort. Patricia was one of them.
Gregory met the women there and later remembered being shown how to fold his clothes.
Patricia and Gregory later developed a relationship.
Patricia Panella and Gregory Hines’ Marriage
Patricia and Gregory married in 1968.
After their wedding, they lived in New York City.
Their daughter, Daria, was born a few years later.
The marriage ended in 1973, about five years after their wedding.
The reason for their divorce has not been clearly reported in the information reviewed.
Their Daughter Daria Hines
Patricia and Gregory had one daughter together, Daria Hines.
Daria was reportedly born in 1971.
She has remained close to her mother and has shared photos and messages about Patricia on social media.
Daria is Patricia’s only publicly confirmed child with Gregory Hines.
Patricia and Daria’s Relationship
Patricia and Daria appear to have maintained a close relationship.
On Mother’s Day in 2020, Daria shared an old photo with her mother on Instagram and wished her a happy Mother’s Day.
She has also shared another older picture of herself with Patricia from the 1980s.
Patricia has posted photos with Daria as well.
On April 27, 2017, she reportedly shared a picture of herself and Daria standing together in front of a white Range Rover in Laguna Beach.
The post shows that they continued spending time together many years after Gregory and Patricia divorced.
Who Was Gregory Hines?
Gregory Hines was an American tap dancer, actor, singer, musician, and director.
He was born on February 14, 1946, in New York City.
His parents were Alma Lola Hines and Maurice Robert Hines.
Gregory began dancing at a young age with his older brother, Maurice Hines. They studied tap dancing under Henry Le Tang.
The brothers performed as The Hines Kids and later became known as The Hines Brothers.
Their father eventually joined their act as a drummer, and the group became Hines, Hines, and Dad.
Gregory Hines’ Dance and Acting Career
Gregory and Maurice performed at the Apollo Theater and learned from performers such as Sandman Sims and the Nicholas Brothers.
In 1954, they appeared on Broadway in The Girl in Pink Tights.
Gregory later built a successful acting career.
His film work included Wolfen, The Cotton Club, and Running Scared.
He also starred in The Gregory Hines Show and played Ben Doucette on Will & Grace.
Gregory provided the voice of Big Bill on the children’s animated series Little Bill.
His career included more than 40 film appearances, according to the information reviewed.
Gregory Hines’ Awards
Gregory received several major awards during his career.
His honors included a Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and Daytime Emmy Award.
He was particularly known for helping bring tap dancing to new audiences through stage, film, and television.
Patricia and Gregory Divorced in 1973
Patricia and Gregory ended their marriage in 1973.
That year also brought a major change in Gregory’s career.
Gregory left the family act Hines, Hines, and Dad after disagreements with his brother.
He later moved to Venice Beach, California, and formed a jazz-rock band called Severance.
There is no evidence in the information reviewed that his career change caused his divorce from Patricia.
Gregory Hines’ Second Marriage and Children
Gregory married Pamela Koslow in 1981.
They had a son named Zachary Hines.
Gregory also helped raise Pamela’s daughter Jessica as his stepdaughter.
Gregory and Pamela divorced in 2000.
This means Daria was Gregory’s daughter from his marriage to Patricia, while Zachary was his son from his marriage to Pamela.
Gregory Hines’ Final Relationship and Death
Gregory later had a relationship with Negrita Jayde.
She was reportedly his fiancée, and they spent the final years of his life together.
Gregory died on August 9, 2003, at age 57. His death was reported as being caused by liver cancer.
Patricia Panella’s Life After Gregory Hines
Patricia kept a low public profile after her divorce.
There is no reliable information in the sources reviewed showing that she remarried. This does not mean she never had another marriage or relationship; it simply has not been confirmed.
Much of the later information about Patricia comes from family photos shared on social media.
Patricia Panella’s Social Media
Patricia was reportedly active on Instagram.
She shared pictures of family members, friends, celebrations, and other personal moments.
In 2017, she posted a photo with Daria in Laguna Beach and another picture from a birthday celebration.
In August 2019, she reportedly shared a photo with her sister.
A verified current Instagram username was not provided in the information reviewed.
Patricia Panella’s Net Worth
Patricia Panella’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
Her career and financial information have not been publicly documented in enough detail to provide a reasonable estimate.
Any exact net worth figure found online should therefore be treated carefully.
Where Is Patricia Panella Now?
Patricia’s current residence and daily activities are not publicly clear.
She has maintained a private life and has mainly appeared publicly through family photos and social media posts.
Her 2017 photo from Laguna Beach does not prove that she lived there.
Interesting Facts
- Patricia Panella is Gregory Hines’ first wife.
- She reportedly met Gregory at a resort in the Catskills.
- Gregory was around 22 when they met.
- Patricia and Gregory married in 1968.
- They lived in New York City after marrying.
- Their daughter, Daria Hines, was born in 1971.
- Patricia and Gregory divorced in 1973.
- The reason for their divorce is not publicly clear.
- Patricia appears to have at least one sister.
- She has remained close to her daughter Daria.
- Patricia was reportedly active on Instagram.
- She shared a photo with Daria in Laguna Beach in 2017.
- Her exact birthday and age are not publicly confirmed.
- Her education and profession are not reliably known.
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