David Cassidy’s 23-Year Marriage Ends: What Really Drove Sue Shifrin Away?
David Cassidy – the beloved teen heartthrob of the 1970s and star of The Partridge Family – shocked fans in 2014 when his 23-year marriage to Sue Shifrin came to a sudden end. But what truly surprised people was the timing and possible reason behind it.
💔 A Long Marriage Unraveled
Married in 1991, David and Sue shared a son, Beau Cassidy, and appeared to be one of the more stable couples in show business. However, in February 2014, Sue filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The filing came shortly after David entered rehab following his third DUI arrest.
🍷 Alcoholism Behind Closed Doors
While neither David nor Sue gave full details publicly, insiders reported that David’s long-standing battle with alcoholism was the root cause. Sue had supported him through previous rehab stints and even attended family therapy, but the emotional toll became too much.
“She stood by him longer than most would,” a family friend revealed. “But relapse after relapse… she just couldn’t take it anymore.”
⚖️ Aftermath and Decline
Following the divorce, David’s health and finances rapidly declined. He filed for bankruptcy in 2015 and passed away in 2017 from liver failure—a direct result of years of alcohol abuse. In his final days, David confessed to his daughter, “I lied about having dementia. It was really alcohol.”
Despite their split, Sue later expressed gratitude for the good years they shared. “I’ll always cherish the memories,” she said, “but it was time to let go.”
💬 Fans Reflect
The divorce not only marked the end of a marriage, but also symbolized the collapse of a hopeful image from the past. For many, it was a reminder that even idols are human—flawed, vulnerable, and sometimes unable to escape their demons.