Rebecca Gayheart made a life-changing decision when her ex-husband, Eric Dane, was diagnosed with ALS — and it wasn’t about getting back together.

Speaking on the Broad Ideas podcast last November, the actress and model revealed that she withdrew her divorce filing to set an example for their two daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14. Her focus was on showing them the importance of family, even in life’s darkest moments.

“We tell them, ‘We show up for people no matter what. He is our family. He is your father,’” Gayheart shared.

Despite navigating a complicated relationship while Dane faced his diagnosis, Gayheart said her priority remained making sure their daughters felt supported and secure. She wanted them to feel “taken care of” even in the face of hardship.

“Things are hard and sad and bad,” she explained, “but I want them to feel taken care of.”

Gayheart, who started her career as a teen model in the 1980s before becoming an advertising spokeswoman, met Dane in the early 2000s.

Dane told Flaunt magazine about their first meeting:

”It’s probably one of the least interesting stories in the world. It went basically like this: ‘You wanna go out?’ ‘Yeah, sure.’ Ten months later, we were married.”

A marriage, a separation, and a new reality

Gayheart and Dane tied the knot in 2004, building a life together before things changed.

However, after 13 years, Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018. But after seven years of separation, they called off the divorce last March — just one month before Dane publicly revealed his ALS diagnosis.

Reflecting on their journey in November, Gayheart, 54, described their bond as “super complicated” and admitted she wasn’t sure whether halting the divorce was the right choice.

“I’m just showing up and trying to be there for [my kids]. I guess time will tell,” she said.

In an essay for The Cut last December, Gayheart explained that while their romantic connection had shifted, their bond hadn’t disappeared.

“Our love may not be romantic, but it’s a familial love,” she wrote.

The two hadn’t lived in the same home for eight years, and both had moved on romantically, Gayheart was linked to billionaire Peter Morton, while Dane dated filmmaker Janell Shirtcliff last June. Yet, family remained the center of their lives.

“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,” Gayheart said.

“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.’”

Eric Dane died at 53

Tragically, Eric Dane passed away on Thursday, just 10 months after his ALS diagnosis, at the age of 53.

“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” his family said.

“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. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always.”

Even in the face of heartbreak, Gayheart’s choice showed her daughters what it means to stand by family, no matter what — a lesson in love, resilience, and devotion that extends far beyond romance.