Eric Dane is facing one of life’s toughest battles, and he’s leaning heavily on the support of his estranged wife, Rebecca Gayheart. The 54-year-old actress recently spoke candidly about how she and their daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, are handling the challenges of Dane’s ALS diagnosis.
Gayheart said she’s teaching her girls an important lesson: “Stand by the people you love, even when life is complicated.” “Eric is still family,” she said, adding that “facing this difficult chapter with dignity and grace” is the only way they know how.
The two have had a very long, complicated marriage. Even though Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018, she moved to dismiss the case earlier this year. They’ve been separated for eight years,
with the girls living full-time with her. Setting aside the past, Gayheart is optimistic and trying to shepherd her daughters through what she describes as “incredibly hard.”
She admits it is not always clear if she is handling everything perfectly, but she’s committed to showing up for her daughters, being present whenever they may need her. She describes them as strong young girls carrying more than most teenagers their age.
Dane, who married Gayheart in 2004, announced his ALS diagnosis in April. The rare, degenerative condition gradually robs a person of control over their muscles, and he now relies on a wheelchair. Dane has continually shown complete acknowledgment for Gayheart, referring to her as the main source of emotional support and one he depends on daily.
For Gayheart, living life around Dane’s illness has been a humbling and shifting experience. She hopes her daughters take away lessons not just about the care of others, but also of themselves. “Life is full of highs and lows,” she said. “Moments like these remind us that every single day matters.”
