Engelbert Humperdinck’s beloved wife Patricia has died with coronavirus.
It comes just 48 hours after 84-year-old Engelbert begged fans for their prayers as his wife – who had lived with Alzheimer’s since 2007 – contracted the virus at their home.
He said Covid-19 had hit her “pretty hard” and she was left unable to eat or drink.
The heartbroken music icon confirmed the tragic news on Saturday morning, telling his Facebook friends: “Dear friends, please forgive the silence, after the unbelievable response to our plea for prayers.
“Our family is heartbroken over the loss of my darling wife.
“Last night, she slipped softly away, as if by God’s clockwork.
“The last rites were given just before our usual prayers at the 8pm hour, by our nephew, Father Paul. It was 4am for him.
(Image: Popperfoto/Getty Images)
(Image: Getty Images)
“We were so grateful to have him gently lead Popea through this last chapter, with a familiar voice and such love.
“She was surrounded by our children, Louise, Jason, Brad, with Scott on FaceTime.
“Her long-time caregivers lovingly helped make her transition easier on us all.
“Her earthly limitations no longer hold her down as she is freely running the glorious gardens of Heaven, reunited with so many loved ones.
“We prayed as a family, blessed her with the water from Lourdes and off she went… ushered into the arms of Jesus with help from the generous heart filled prayers from all around the world.
(Image: Facebook)
“I thank those who reached out in what we now know were her final days, and sent energy, love and words of deep connection to a loving God. He will be the ultimate caregiver of peace and love.
“Patricia’s battle with Alzheimer’s was brave from the very beginning.
“She never resisted as we tried to leave no stone unturned.
“We love you beyond words, forever and always. It is slipping now into the minutes of a full day without you. Goodnight my baby.”
Engelbert and Patricia’s love story took off when they met by chance on a night out in 1953.
Their marriage has spanned more than five decades after the couple tied the knot in 1964.
Last year, Engelbert opened up about the first time he ever laid eyes on his wife Patricia.
“I met her on a dance floor, and we’ve been dancing together ever since,” he told Closer Weekly magazine.
“The old saying is that it’s love at first sight. She was my first real date — when I danced with her that night, I asked her for a date the next day. I said, ‘I won’t marry you until I make a name for myself. I want to take care of you.’ I was a nobody and wanted to keep her comfortable.”
And when Patricia’s mental condition started to fail in 2007, she and her husband turned to holistic medicine and acupuncture to fight back her Alzheimer’s.
“I believe there is a cure that is being held up for some reason, so I decided to treat her with holistic medicine and acupuncture and a way of producing new stem cells. It’s taking a lot of time, but it’s working,” he told the magazine.
In 2019, Engelbert revealed it was a Christmas miracle when his wife said his name for the first time in three years.
He told us: “She hasn’t spoken for three years, she even called my name three days ago which is wonderful to hear. It’s the best Christmas miracle ever. I’m thrilled.”
The star, from Leicester, added: “I really miss not being home for Christmas. Most of my family live there.
“My wife can’t get on a plane yet so until she can fly we will spend our Christmases in LA.”