‘She slipped softly away, as if by God’s clockwork’: ‘Heartbroken’ Engelbert Humperdinck, 84, announces his wife of 56 years Patricia has died from Covid after ‘brave’ Alzheimer’s battle

• Patricia died on Thursday night after battling coronavirus 
• Engelbert, 84, revealed last week he had tested positive for the virus but was asymptomatic
• 2017, the singer revealed his wife had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for 10 years 
• Engelbert and Patricia were married for 56 years and their love story spans more than 70 years
• They have four children, who were with Patricia via FaceTime in her final moments

Engelbert Humperdinck’s beloved wife of 56 years has died from coronavirus. 

The singer, 84, announced on his Facebook page on Friday his wife Patricia ‘slipped softly away’ after a ‘brave’ 13-year battle with Alzheimer’s on Thursday night. 

It comes after Engelbert, who is at his home in Los Angeles, revealed he had tested positive for Covid-19 but was asymptomatic. 

Heartbroken: Engelbert Humperdinck’s beloved wife of 56 years has died from coronavirus

Engelbert, whose love story with Patricia spans more than 70 years, issued a heartfelt which read: ‘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 Gods clockwork.’

Engelbert said Patricia was surrounded by their children, Louise, Jason, Brad, with Scott on FaceTime as the last rites were given by their nephew, Father Paul.   

‘Goodnight my baby’: The singer, 84, announced on his Facebook page on Friday his wife Patricia ‘slipped softly away’ after a ‘brave’ battle with Alzheimer’s on Thursday night

Soulmates: The couple’s love story spans more than 70 years (pictured at their home in Leicester in 1999)

He continued: ‘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.

‘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 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.’ 

Devoted: ‘We love you beyond words, forever and always. It is slipping now into the minutes of a full day without you,’ he said (seen together in 2010)

Last week, Engelbert said the positive tests for coronavirus came after ‘nearly a year of an abundance of caution and care’, as he urged for prayers for his ‘darling’ wife.    

In a series of tweets last Tuesday, he said: ‘Now we must not let a positive result bring a negative mindset but I must say I could use your help in this department.

‘We are asking for prayers, good energy, love and support to be sent our way.’

He said his daughter had brought ‘cases of photographs to reflect upon and keep us strong through our recovery’.

Covid: Last week, Engelbert said the positive tests came after ‘nearly a year of an abundance of caution and care’, as he urged for prayers for his ‘darling’ wife (pictured last year)

He added: ‘My biggest ‘ask’ is for my darling wife, Patricia (Popea).

‘She has been through so much and does whatever it takes. She is an unbelievable woman of strength. Please also keep our wonderful caregivers in your prayers.’    

More than ten years ago, Patricia was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and had 24-hour care at their family home in Bel Air, California. 

‘Send prayers, good energy, love and support’: Engelbert announced his positive Covid-19 test on Twitter last week and asked fans to particularly think of his wife Patricia

In 2019 Engelbert revealed his joy after his wife said his name for the first time in three years. 

Speaking to The Mirror, the singer gushed about it being a ‘Christmas miracle’ that his wife had referred to him by name again.

Discussing her ‘slowly progressing’ illness, he explained that it is ‘a very difficult disease to cure’, but she had begun to talk ‘a little bit’. 

He revealed: ‘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.’ 

And speaking to Weekend magazine the month before, he said of his wife: ‘She’s doing OK considering that she’s had it for the past ten years.

Throwback: Engelbert has often spoken about Patricia’s Alzheimer’s since she was diagnosed with the condition more than a decade ago (pictured in 1991)

Performer: Engelbert represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012 with the song Love Will Set You Free, finishing second last (pictured in the contest’s final in Baku Azerbaijan)

‘In fact, she still knows me and knows everybody. Our son Scott came over from Australia a couple of days ago and she called him by his name.

‘That’s totally unheard of because after ten years [of Alzheimer’s], nobody can say people’s names like that.’

Engelbert continued: ‘When Scott went back to Australia, she cried, so she knows who he is.

Musical sensation: Engelbert topped the UK singles chart with his hits Release Me and The Last Waltz in the 1960s (pictured in 1981)

‘But we’re doing everything we can to help her. I have acupuncturists see her, as well as my regular doctor, who’s wonderful.

‘I also have people from the holistic world and I’ve taken her to see healers. I want her to see everybody because I think it’s important to investigate every avenue.’ 

Engelbert topped the UK singles chart with his hits Release Me and The Last Waltz in the 1960s.

He also represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012 with the song Love Will Set You Free, finishing second last.

A number of stars including TV presenter Sharon Osbourne and actors Tom Hanks, Idris Elba and Bryan Cranston have previously shared their experiences of contracting coronavirus. 

WHAT IS ALZHEIMER’S?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, in which build-up of abnormal proteins causes nerve cells to die.

This disrupts the transmitters that carry messages, and causes the brain to shrink. 

More than 5 million people suffer from the disease in the US, where it is the 6th leading cause of death, and more than 1 million Britons have it.

WHAT HAPPENS?

As brain cells die, the functions they provide are lost. 

That includes memory, orientation and the ability to think and reason. 

The progress of the disease is slow and gradual. 

On average, patients live five to seven years after diagnosis, but some may live for ten to 15 years.

EARLY SYMPTOMS:

• Loss of short-term memory
• Disorientation
• Behavioral changes
• Mood swings
• Difficulties dealing with money or making a phone call 

LATER SYMPTOMS:

• Severe memory loss, forgetting close family members, familiar objects or places
• Becoming anxious and frustrated over inability to make sense of the world, leading to aggressive behavior 
• Eventually lose ability to walk
• May have problems eating 
• The majority will eventually need 24-hour care   

 Source: Alzheimer’s Association

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