Rebecca Gayheart retracted her divorce filing from Eric Dane after he received an ALS diagnosis. She mentioned wanting to show their children the importance of family support.
On the podcast “Broad Ideas,” she discussed her choice, explaining that they wanted to impart lessons to their daughters, Billie and Georgia, about being there for loved ones, especially during tough times.
“We tell them, ‘We’ll show up for people no matter what. He’s our family. He’s your father,'” Gayheart shared.
She emphasized that their primary focus remained on their kids’ well-being, ensuring they felt appreciated despite the circumstances being “hard and sad.”
The couple tied the knot in 2004, but Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018 after 13 years together. In March of the previous year, they decided to cancel their divorce following a seven-year separation. A month later, Dane publicly revealed his ALS diagnosis.
Reflecting on their complex relationship, Gayheart, now 54, admitted uncertainty about whether she chose the right path by withdrawing the divorce application. “I’m just trying to show up and be there,” she noted, adding that time might offer clarity.
In a candid essay for The Cut last December, she described their connection as one of familial love, despite the absence of romance.
Additionally, she disclosed that they hadn’t shared a home for eight years and both had pursued other romantic relationships. Gayheart is currently seeing billionaire Peter Morton, while maintaining regular family interactions with Dane.
“This year, my daughters and I spent a lot of time at Eric’s house, which is about a 12-minute drive away,” she wrote. “We eat together a lot. We call to let him know, ‘I’m going up the hill’ or ‘I’m dropping Georgia off.’
Dane passed away on Thursday, just ten months post-diagnosis. He was 53 years old. His family released a statement expressing their sorrow, highlighting his advocacy for ALS awareness and research.
