Meet composer David Shire, Didi Conn’s loving husband of over four decades. The couple has been through many ups and downs over the years, including health scares and separating while raising their autistic son.

Didi Conn, a well-known actress, has lived much of her life in the spotlight. But behind the scenes, her marriage to composer David Shire has had its share of challenges.

Raising their autistic son, Danny, put pressure on their relationship, leading to a brief separation. However, the couple eventually reconciled and have been together for over 40 years, closer than ever. Take a look at their story.

From “Grease” Stardom to Caring for Her Autistic Son

Didi became a household name when she starred in the iconic 1978 film “Grease,” co-starring Stockard Channing and Susan Buckner. She delivered a memorable portrayal of the sweet and bubbly beauty school dropout, Frenchy.

A few years later, the actress went on to marry David Shire, a renowned composer. Born in Buffalo in 1937, David began his career as a composer for television in the 1960s, working on shows like “The Virginian.” Over the years, he expanded into film and Broadway, earning accolades for his work.

He won an Oscar for his song “It Goes Like It Goes” from the 1979 film “Norma Rae” and received a Grammy for his score to “Saturday Night Fever.” Throughout his career, David was also nominated for prestigious awards like the Emmys, Tonys, and BAFTAs.

Outside of their professional successes, Didi and David are devoted to their son, Danny, who was diagnosed with autism at three. However, having a child who was on the spectrum was very challenging.

The “Grease” star recalled the early years, describing the struggles they faced when Danny couldn’t communicate, “He’d have terrible tantrums… horrible, horrible, dramatic fits of frustration ’cause he wasn’t speaking.”

Danny remained nonverbal for much of his life, and it wasn’t until he was 26 that he finally told Didi he loved her for the first time. She said of the emotional moment in 2019, “The first time Danny said, ‘I love you’ was this year. I was leaving to fly to the UK, and he said it on the phone. I kept saying, ‘Say it again, baby.’ And he did.”

The actress added, “Then he said, ‘Why are you crying?’ So I told him they were happy tears. And oh my God, did I cry? It was the biggest milestone, it really was. Because I couldn’t really hold him as a baby, as he was so sensitive and didn’t like to be held, so that was tricky. It really was something special to hear.”

For years, Didi put her acting career on hold to care for Danny, who required round-the-clock support due to his extreme sensitivity to sound and inability to be left alone. However, in 2018, Danny moved to a farm to live and work, a transition that gave him more independence.

This change in Danny’s life gave Didi the freedom to explore new opportunities. The following year, she joined the cast of “Dancing on Ice,” becoming the oldest contestant at the time.

When asked why she took on the challenge, Didi explained, “I have a son who has special needs so is living on a farm and working there, and this has given me the time in my life to find out who is Didi, not Didi mommy [sic].”

Navigating Challenges in Their Marriage

While Didi’s career and family life bring her joy, the challenges of raising a child with special needs placed a strain on her marriage. Reflecting on this difficult time, Didi admitted, “I think I tried to take too much on my own, and it was very difficult — very difficult on a marriage. You have to be understanding of your husband.”

The stress eventually led to a separation as David struggled to cope with Danny’s diagnosis and his needs. During the split, Didi understood that while the situation was challenging for both of them, it was simply “too much” for her husband.

However, after some time apart, David returned. Didi shared, “He came back, and we are closer than ever.” In 2019, while Didi competed in “Dancing on Ice,” David faced a health crisis.

The actress abruptly left the competition to be by her husband’s side in the U.S., leaving fans of the show disappointed by her early departure, though her priority remained with her family.

Over the years, Didi and David continued to make public appearances together, showing their love and support for each other. In 2010, they were all smiles while attending the ”Love, Loss, and What I Wore” new cast celebration in New York City.

Two years later, Didi and David were photographed warmly embracing on the red carpet for the Broadway opening night of the musical “Nice Work If You Can Get It” in New York. The actress wore a bright red scarf while David donned a dark-colored suit with a beige coat draped over his arm.

A month later, Didi and David attended the “Evening of Discovery” Gala in New York where they stood in each other’s arms while posing for the camera, wearing bright smiles.

In 2015, the couple shared a kiss on the red carpet at the “Waterfall” musical premiere in Pasadena, California. Didi wowed in a striped black-and-white dress while David donned a dark suit jacket with a light blue tie.

In 2019, Didi and David attended the “Big The Musical” gala performance and certainly dressed for the occasion. The loving couple walked the red carpet of the London event and were photographed sharing a sweet moment embracing.

Over the years, Didi Conn has graciously balanced fame with family, facing challenges with determination and her husband by her side, despite their brief separation. Her marriage and journey raising her autistic son shaped much of her life, highlighting her unwavering commitment to those she loves.