Eric Dane's Estranged Wife Talks Trying To 'Stay Optimistic' Amid ALS Battle

For Rebecca Gayheart, her estranged husband Eric Dane's ALS battle has been an emotional journey that has tested her in several ways.

The entertainer, who rose to fame as a teen model, has been a consistent supporter of the "Grey's Anatomy" star despite their differences. They had been deadlocked in a 7-year divorce battle before calling it off earlier this year amid the actor's condition.

Rebecca Gayheart tied the knot to Eric Dane in October 2004. They welcomed two daughters, Billie and Georgia, before Gayheart pulled the plug on their nearly 14-year marriage in February 2018. Seven years later, her estranged husband announced his ALS diagnosis.

Gayheart got candid about her feelings during a recent appearance on the "Broad Ideas" podcast. The episode shared on Monday, November 17, saw the model getting vulnerable with the hosts about Dane's ALS battle.

She confessed that she tried to "stay optimistic" amid the emotional journey, noting she was unsure if she was on the right or wrong track. "I'm just showing up and trying to be there for them. I guess time will tell," Gayheart said, referencing her two daughters.

The doting mother explained that her children were in a "particularly difficult" place, given her separation from Dane and his debilitating health condition. Nonetheless, Gayheart prioritized giving her daughters enough quality time with their father.

"I just want to make sure I provide them with the opportunity to spend time with him, so they don't ever look back [and wish they did more]," Gayheart added.

Gayheart noted that it hadn't been easy for her children; however, her primary goal was to ensure they "get through this and feel OK about it." She stressed that she did not let her years-long separation from Dane impact their relationship with their father.

According to Gayheart, she told her daughters that no matter their differences with Dane, he would always be their father. "We show up, and we try to do it with some dignity and some grace and just get through it the best we can," she said about their relationship with Dane amid his ALS battle.

Gayheart confessed that it was equally challenging for her, given her years-long separation from Dane, but she would continue to support him. She shared light on their relationship in September, with The Blast reporting that she credited his condition for bringing them closer.

Dane's ALS diagnosis became public knowledge in April 2025 when he announced his diagnosis. The update came a month after Gayheart had dismissed her divorce filing, marking the end of their legal separation after nearly seven years.

Gayheart opened up about her reunion with Dane amid his debilitating condition, noting that their relationship had significantly improved. She confessed that she wished they had met on better terms and lamented the pain her estranged husband was in.

"It's a horrible disease, and I wish that there was a cure. I hope they find one soon, because it is just so sad," Gayheart said. She also addressed how her daughters were coping, revealing they were "really suffering" with their father's ALS diagnosis.

The Blast covered the end of Gayheart's desire to divorce Dane in March, reporting that she and her estranged husband had signed papers dismissing the case. Their decision came days before a scheduled court hearing.

Gayheart and Dane were supposed to appear in court to make a decision about their divorce after a judge issued a "final notice" warning. Their case would have been dismissed if the former couple had failed to decide how to move forward.

There were potential fines if Gayheart and Dane failed to appear in court for the March 20 hearing, but weeks before the date, they agreed to dismiss their divorce case. As stated, Gayheart filed to end their marriage in February 2018, citing "irreconcilable differences."

Thanks to Gayheart's decision to end their divorce battle and support her estranged husband through his ALS journey, Dane could focus on the things he cared for the most. The Blast reported in October that the actor had scored a role depicting his health struggles.

Dane was set to star as a character named Matthew on the second season of NBC's "Brilliant Minds." The role was an art imitating life moment as the character was a firefighter struggling with ALS and the complex emotions tied to the condition.

Besides his new role, Dane would reprise his recurring character on the hit "Euphoria" series for the third season, and he also scored a feature in Prime Video's "Countdown." These career achievements matched Dane's previous declaration that he would continue working amid his ALS battle.

Will Rebecca Gayheart continue to grow closer to Eric Dane?