Patrick Dempsey's heartbreaking admission about marriage to wife who was 26 years his senior

Patrick Dempsey made a heartbreaking admission after his marriage to Rochelle 'Rocky' Parker ended in 1994.

The pair met when Dempsey was 18 and Parker was 44 during a stage production known as Brighton Beach Memoirs. Dempsey and Parker were cast as auntie and nephew in the show.

From there, their liking for one another blossomed to the point that at the end of 1984, Dempsey and Parker weren't just professional colleagues, but also romantically involved.

As well as dating a woman 26 years his senior, Dempsey reportedly hired his partner as his full-time acting coach and manager.

The pair kept their relationship mostly private and they married in 1987.

Even before they tied the knot, Dempsey and Parker were hardly seen in public together.

It was rare you'd find Dempsey and Parker in public (Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)

Ultimately, Dempsey and Parker called it quits in 1994, citing 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for the divorce.

In the proceedings, Parker alleged that Dempsey assaulted her on the set of the 1987 movie, Can't Buy Me Love.

However, these claims were later retracted as Parker claimed she'd been 'advised to make' such accusations by a legal representative.

In conversation with Barbara Walters in 2006, Dempsey described his marriage as a 'Freudian nightmare that is public knowledge', as he added: "I think I needed a mother."

"There were a lot of negative things that I'm still undoing from it. She had a son one year older than me," the now 60-year-old said at the time.

The actor has since married Jillian Fink (Jason Mendez/Getty Images)

Parker died aged 74 in April 2019 after being diagnosed with lung and throat cancer.

Since divorcing Parker, Dempsey went on to marry make-up artist Jillian Fink, 60, with whom he's gone on to have three children with.

In 2023, the Grey's Anatomy star was named Sexiest Man Alive by People Magazine.

"I’m glad it’s happening at this point in my life," the actor told the outlet. "It’s nice to have the recognition, and certainly my ego takes a little bump, but it gives me the platform to use it for something positive."

Dempsey went on to say he was left 'completely shocked' at being awarded the title, while Fink said: "Well, the cat’s out of the bag for 2023 @people’s #SexiestManAlive and my hubz is on the cover!

"Loved being a part of this insanely fun ride with you @patrickdempsey."

She added: What a title! You truly are my sexiest man alive."