Pocket Door Header Length

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My new (old) house had a narrow door that was closed over with sheetrock. Upon opening it, we discovered it had been a pocket door, no longer there. We want to enlarge the opening and put in a 32" hinged door instead.
Does the header for the pocket door extend from the stud on one side that is right there, past the other stud, to the full length of the original pocket door?
I think the rough opening is 29", which would make the pocket door at least that wide. Seems the header then is at least the 58" plus the 8" or so over the studs. Is that right?
Is it safe then, to cut several more inches back from the side the door slid into, set studs, and attach the hinged side of the door to the originally existing studs.
Does it matter if it's a bearing wall?
Thanks