Canadian ice hockey player Ron Duguay passed away at the age of 69 on October 22, 2026, following a battle with stage 4 colon cancer.
Duguay and his romantic partner, Sarah Palin, were in a romantic relationship which began in 2022 and ended with Duguay’s death in 2026. Before her relationship with Duguay, Palin was married to Todd Palin. The couple divorced in 2020.

Ron Duguay was previously married twice. He was first married to Robin Bobo, then to Kim Alexis, and they had three children. He shares two daughters, Shay and Amber, from Bobo, and a son, Noah, with Alexis.
Paying an emotional tribute to her boyfriend, Palin wrote in an Instagram post:
“It’s with a shattered heart, but also deep peace knowing Ron is with Jesus now. He fought so hard. Love never ends.”
Continue reading for more details.
Everything you need to know about Ron Duguay’s family
Ron Duguay has drawn attention to his family after he recently passed away after battling cancer.
The NHL Alumni Association issued a statement extending condolences to his family, including his partner, Sarah Palin. It read:
“Perhaps what made Ron most special was his humanity. His genuine compassion, kindness, and willingness to help others always extended beyond himself. He cared deeply, gave generously of his heart, and had a remarkable way of making everyone around him feel valued and appreciated.”
Duguay was a Sudbury, Ontario native known for his flowing hair, skill, and celebrity lifestyle during his years with the New York Rangers.
The NHL All-Star’s diagnosis was first shared publicly by his family in early 2026. His daughters, Shay and Amber from his first marriage, started a fundraiser for their father’s cancer treatment, which involved travelling to California from his Florida home.
Ron Duguay’s daughter, Shay, confirmed his death in a joint post shared on Instagram. She wrote in the caption:
“Our hearts are broken. We love you forever Dad.”
The family also announced that a “celebration of life” for Ron Duguay is scheduled for a later date. His longtime partner, and former Alaska Governor and 2008 vice-presidential nominee, Sarah Palin, was with him in his final days.

The pair were old friends and initially connected through hockey. According to a report in The Cut, Palin later reached out to Duguay for advice during her 2022 defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, which deepened their connection. Ron Duguay often showed Palin around New York City, sharing stories and history from his playing days with the New York Rangers.
Duguay married his first wife, Robin Bobo, on December 1, 1983. She is a model and actress. Her IMDb profile credits a short film called Moral of the Story: Pillow Talk. She welcomed two daughters with him – Amber and Shay. The couple divorced later.
After his divorce from Bobo, Duguay tied the knot with model Kim Alexis in January 1993. They had a son named Noah and later divorced in 2016. Alexis gained recognition in the 1980s as a supermodel. Besides being a model, Alexis also ventured into acting. According to her IMDb profile, Alexis appeared in Cheers, The Commish and Holy Man.
After her marriage to Ron Duguay ended in divorce, she married Jeffery Schwartz. She was previously married to James Roosevelt Stockton III. She and Duguay shared a son named Noah.
Duguay is survived by his three children—daughters Shay Thomas and Amber Stavros, and son Noah Duguay—as well as five grandchildren and his partner, Sarah Palin.
Love movies? Try our Box Office Game and Movie Grid Game to test your film knowledge and have some fun!