Patti Carnel: A Life of Grace, Fame, and Strength of David Soul’s Ex-wife

Patti Carnel may not be a name that immediately comes to mind with most individuals, yet her past is closely associated with two of the greatest 1970s stars—Bobby Sherman and David Soul. Familiar primarily through marriages to these fantastic performers, Patti came into prominence during a pioneering decade for popular culture. But beyond her relationships, Patti Carnel lived a life of personal strength, unspoken determination, and the grace to transcend adversity.

Let’s explore Patti Carnel’s life—everything from childhood and the beginning of her private life to the glory that followed her as the companion of two renowned men. We will also look at her family life, and what she leaves behind for us today.

Quick Bio

Who Is Patti Carnel?

Patti Carnel is an American woman who was a national celebrity in the 1970s due to the fact that she wed two big-time celebrities: teen heartthrob and vocalist Bobby Sherman and television star David Soul. While not a public celebrity herself, Patti was at the center of two big-time romances, appearing quite often in magazine features and fanzine coverage during that period of time.

In contrast to her show-business ex-husbands, Patti never sought out a career in the entertainment industry, but she found herself having to contend with the harsh light of the media spotlight. As such, her name became indelibly tied with two pop culture icons, though she herself remained for the most part in the background. Her story is one of an age where just being close to fame was enough to create tabloid fodder, especially among the girlfriends and wives of movie stars.

Early Life

Patti Carnel was born in 1952 in California. She displayed a keen sense of learning and creativity early in life. She attended San Fernando Valley Junior College, where she studied interior decorating, psychology, and dancing. The areas of focus highlight an all-around person with a taste for beauty, emotion, and movement—the exact same qualities that would shape subsequent relationships and decisions.

Little has been penned about her childhood, upbringing, or private life, possibly because Patti liked things to share on an intimate level. What there is about her education and creative pursuits reveals much about a stubborn young woman driven by passion and curiosity. Her education prepared her not only for an arts life but also with survival skills to deal with the emotional weight of being in the spotlight.

Career Beginnings

Although Patti Carnel never pursued an entertainment career, she was usually involved with the social and household lifestyle of her celebrity husbands. She remained loyal to Bobby Sherman during the height of his music career and was a frequent fixture accompanying him to affairs. Her domesticated role was taking care of the home and rearing their children as Sherman toured and performed all over the country.

Later, her marriage to David Soul brought her into a second phase of public fame, particularly at the peak of Starsky & Hutch’s popularity. Despite all the fame that accrued to her, Patti refused to cash in on these associations and gain personal fame or pursue a media career. Her insistence on not being under the public eye most of the time speaks volumes about her desire for a low-key, down-to-earth life far removed from the flashbulb of Hollywood.

Who Was Patti Carnel’s Ex-Husband?

Patti Carnel’s first husband was Bobby Sherman, a biggest teen idol of the late 1960s and early 1970s. They wed on October 12, 1971, and they have two sons. During their marriage, Patti played a background role as Bobby enjoyed a super successful music career and TV show. The pressure of fame, touring, and private life eventually caused the tension, and they divorced in 1979.

Her second marriage was to actor and singer David Soul, who became famous for playing Detective Kenneth Hutchinson in the TV series Starsky & Hutch. They were wed in 1980 and had three children. Their marriage was not a happy one. Soul’s alcoholism and allegations of domestic violence were the cause of a painful and tumultuous split. They divorced in 1986. Despite the turmoil, Patti’s ability to raise a family and move forward demonstrated her resilience and strength.

Patti Carnel’s Physical Appearance

Patti Carnel possessed natural looks and a relaxed sense of fashion. In photographs from the 1970s, she wore light brown or blonde hair, neat but plain clothes that were characteristic of the era. She was slender and had plain style that complemented the clean-cut look of Bobby Sherman during their relationship.

Though never glimpsed on the red carpet or alone on cover shots, she was often visible to fans in those photographs alongside her legendary husbands. Her own understated style and dignified presence rose above a tide of glamour and glitz. Though not public herself, her allure remained.

Net Worth

Patti Carnel’s own net worth was never disclosed, for she never had a public life or endorsed any products. Her financial life depended upon that of her ex-husbands, and both of them were wealthy when they were in their prime. Bobby Sherman, for example, has an estimated net value of $8 million due to his acting and music career. David Soul’s net worth as of his death in January 2024 was estimated to be around $1 million.

As a stay-at-home mom for most of her life, Patti would have likely devoted herself to raising her children and providing family stability. While she might not have accumulated great riches in her own right, her devotion to her family and her capacity to provide privacy in spite of celebrity status are worth just as much.

Future Prospects and Vision

Now in her 70s, Patti Carnel has remained largely in the background. She has stayed out of public office and interviews and has seemingly dedicated herself to family and inner tranquility. Her life, though touched by celebrity, appears to have taken on a quieter pace following divorces.

Although she will not be making any form of public comeback or foray, her story remains relevant to Bobby Sherman and David Soul enthusiasts. Patti Carnel is the quintessence of the many women who support public figures—weathering pressure, fame, and personal adversity with integrity. She leaves her mark through remaining authentic under extreme public scrutiny.