Isabella Rossellini: mourning her ex-partner David Lynch

After the death of David Lynch (1946-2025), numerous companions spoke out. The celebrated director died on January 16th at the age of 78. His ex-partner Isabella Rossellini (72) also shared a tribute to the deceased on social media.

Rossellini met David Lynch on the set of his film “Blue Velvet” in 1986. The Italian-American actress celebrated her breakthrough with the role of Dorothy Vallens in the film for which Lynch was nominated for a directing Oscar. After both separated from their respective second spouses, they entered into a relationship.

On January 17th, Rossellini shared a picture from later days in which she can be seen arm in arm with her ex-partner. “I loved him so much. Thank you for all your kind messages,” she wrote simply under the familiar photo. Condolences for the 72-year-old piled up in the comments on the post.

After “Blue Velvet”, David Lynch and Isabella Rossellini worked together on other projects, including “Wild at Heart” from 1990. Two years earlier they were even seen on the screen together: in the film “Zelly and Me” they played lovers. The two separated in 1991 after five years of dating.

David Lynch married two more times after his relationship with Rossellini. He remained in a relationship with his fourth wife, actress Emily Stofle (46), until his death. The couple tied the knot in 2009. After their separation, Rossellini got engaged to actor Gary Oldman (66), but a wedding did not take place. According to her own statements, she has now been single for almost two decades.

David Lynch’s family announced the news of his death on January 16th. “There remains a big hole in the world, but as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not the hole,'” the statement said. Meanwhile, film greats such as Kyle MacLachlan (65), Steven Spielberg (78) and Hugh Jackman (56) have publicly expressed their sadness.