Patti Kendig is an American dancer and actress best known as the wife of The Love Boat star Gavin MacLeod. The couple married in 1974, divorced in the early 1980s, and remarried in 1985 after reconnecting through their Christian faith. They remained married until MacLeod’s death in 2021.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Patti Kendig |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Dancer, actress |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Known for | Marriage to Gavin MacLeod |
| Husband | Gavin MacLeod |
| First marriage to Gavin | 1974 |
| Divorce | 1982 |
| Remarried | 1985 |
| Children with Gavin | None |
| Widowed | May 29, 2021 |
Patti Kendig’s Age and Early Life
Patti Kendig has kept much of her early life private. Her exact date of birth and birthplace have not been widely documented. One report lists her as 90 years old, but there is not enough reliable information to confirm her exact age.
Details about her parents, siblings, childhood, and education are also not widely available.
Before her relationship with Gavin MacLeod, Patti had reportedly been married and divorced. One account also says she had children from that relationship, although their names and other details have not been reliably reported.
Her Career as a Dancer and Actress
Patti worked as a dancer before becoming widely known through her relationship with Gavin. Details about her professional dancing career are limited.
She has also been described as an actress. Reports say she made a small number of television appearances, including an appearance on The Love Boat, the popular series starring her husband.
Patti did not build the same public entertainment career as Gavin and generally remained outside the spotlight.
Who Was Gavin MacLeod?
Gavin MacLeod was an American actor born Allan George See on February 28, 1931, in Mount Kisco, New York.
He studied acting at Ithaca College and graduated in 1952. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he worked as an usher and elevator operator at Radio City Music Hall while trying to establish himself as an actor.
Gavin became widely known as Murray Slaughter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He later played Captain Merrill Stubing on The Love Boat, one of the defining roles of his career.
His other television work included McHale’s Navy, while his early career included appearances in shows such as Hawaii Five-O, The Untouchables, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Gavin MacLeod’s First Wife and Children
Before meeting Patti, Gavin was married to Joan Rootvik, a Rockette whom he met while working at Radio City Music Hall.
Most reports say Gavin and Joan married in 1955, although some sources give 1954. They divorced in 1972.
The couple had four children together: Keith, David, Julie, and Meaghan MacLeod.
Gavin and Patti did not have children together.
Patti Kendig and Gavin MacLeod’s First Marriage
Patti and Gavin married in 1974, about two years after his divorce from Joan.
Gavin had struggled with alcohol during this period of his life. Patti told People in 1978 that his personality changed when he drank. According to her account, Gavin promised before their marriage that he would stop drinking because he did not want alcohol to damage their relationship.
Their marriage continued as Gavin’s television career became increasingly successful.
Why Did Patti Kendig and Gavin MacLeod Divorce?
Gavin’s work on The Love Boat placed increasing demands on his time. The series became a major success, requiring him to work, travel, and promote the show.
Gavin later took responsibility for problems in his marriage. He said he had put his work before Patti and felt he did not have enough time for her.
The couple eventually divorced. Most reports place their divorce in 1982, although some accounts give 1981.
After separating, Gavin believed that his relationship with Patti was over.
How Patti and Gavin Got Back Together
During their separation, Patti became a born-again Christian. According to accounts later shared by Gavin, she prayed for them to reconcile.
Gavin experienced his own religious change in 1984 when his mother developed a cyst on her brain and needed surgery. He later said that he prayed to Jesus and promised to change his life.
He then decided to contact Patti.
Gavin recalled calling her on September 15, 1984 and asking whether they could be friends again. Their conversation led to an in-person reunion.
Patti Kendig reportedly gave Gavin a Bible that she had already engraved with his name. Gavin later became a born-again Christian as well.
Patti and Gavin MacLeod Married Again
Patti and Gavin decided to marry for a second time in 1985.
Their Christian faith became an important part of their new marriage. Gavin later spoke openly about how he believed religion had changed their relationship.
He described their relationship as a “threefold marriage,” referring to himself, Patti, and Jesus. The couple also shared their experiences with other married couples.
Their second marriage lasted about 36 years, until Gavin’s death in 2021.
Did Patti Kendig Have Children With Gavin MacLeod?
No. Patti and Gavin MacLeod did not have children together.
Gavin’s four children, Keith, David, Julie, and Meaghan, were from his first marriage to Joan Rootvik.
Some reports say Patti also had children from a previous marriage, but reliable public information about them is limited.
Patti’s Public Appearances With Gavin
Patti Kendig occasionally accompanied Gavin to Hollywood events.
The couple attended the TV Land Awards in 2003 and the Movieguide Awards that same year. They were also photographed at the opening of Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All in 2003 and another TV Land Awards event in 2004.
Patti remained much less visible publicly than her husband.
Gavin MacLeod’s Death
Gavin MacLeod died on May 29, 2021, at his home in Palm Desert, California. He was 90 years old.
His family and loved ones were reportedly with him around the time of his death. Patti and Gavin were still married, making Patti his widow after more than three decades of their second marriage.
Information about Patti’s life following Gavin’s death has remained limited.
Where Is Patti Kendig Now?
Patti Kendig has largely stayed outside the public eye. There is little reliable information about her current activities, work, or recent public appearances.
She also does not appear to maintain a widely recognized verified public social media account.
Patti Kendig’s Net Worth
Patti Kendig’s personal net worth is not reliably known. There is not enough public financial information to confirm a specific figure.
Interesting Facts
- Patti Kendig worked as a dancer and has also been described as an actress.
- She became best known through her marriage to Gavin MacLeod.
- Patti Kendig and Gavin first married in 1974.
- They divorced in the early 1980s.
- Patti became a born-again Christian during their separation.
- Gavin and Patti reconnected in 1984.
- They married again in 1985.
- Their Christian faith became an important part of their second marriage.
- Patti and Gavin did not have children together.
- Gavin had four children from his first marriage.
- Their second marriage lasted until Gavin’s death on May 29, 2021.
- Patti has kept a low public profile since her husband’s death.
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