Rebecca Gayheart withdrew her divorce filing from Eric Dane after the late actor was diagnosed with ALS because she wanted to teach their children to “show up for family.”
The actress explained her decision on the “Broad Ideas” podcast last November, saying that by calling off their divorce, she hoped to teach their daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, to be there for their family even “when times are at their worst.”
“We tell them, ‘We show up for people no matter what. He is our family. He is your father,’” Gayheart shared.
The mom of two also said that throughout Dane’s diagnosis and navigating their relationship, her main focus was on the girls’ well-being and that they felt “taken care of” even though “things are hard and sad and bad.”
The former couple wed in 2004 and after 13 years of marriage, the “Jawbreaker” star filed for divorce in 2018.
Last March, they called off their divorce after seven years of separation. One month later, the “Grey’s Anatomy” star went public with his ALS diagnosis.
During the November interview, Gayheart, 54, also detailed their “super complicated” dynamic and admitted that she wasn’t sure if she was handling the situation “the wrong way or right way” by withdrawing the filing.
“I’m just showing up and trying to be there for [my kids]. I guess time will tell,” she said.
In a vulnerable essay for The Cut published last December, Gayheart said her and Dane’s “love may not be romantic, but it’s a familial love.”
She also clarified that the two “haven’t lived in the same home for eight years.”
Gayheart addressed that they both have had romantic relationships with other people — she’s been linked to billionaire Peter Morton and he dated filmmaker Janell Shirtcliff last June — but they regularly see each other for family gatherings.
“This year, the girls and I have spent a lot of time at Eric’s house, which is about a 12-minute drive away from our home,” the essay continued. “We have a lot of meals together. We do a lot of drop-by visits — well, I don’t just drop by. I always call and say, ‘I’m coming up the hill’ or ‘I’m dropping Georgia off.’”
Dane passed away on Thursday, 10 months after announcing his ALS diagnosis. He was 53 years old.
Dane’s family shared in a statement to People, “With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS.”
“Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight,” the statement continued. “He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always.”
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