Eric Dane’s Estranged Wife Admits ALS Diagnosis Brought Them ‘Closer’ But Daughters Are ‘Really Suffering’

Rebecca Gayheart got candid about the emotional toll of her estranged husband Eric Dane‘s diagnosis on her mental health and how it has affected their two daughters, Billie Beatric, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13.

The “Grey’s Anatomy” star revealed that he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in April, shortly after the couple dismissed their 7-year-long divorce case.

Gayheart had filed for a divorce back in February 2018 after 14 years of marriage, stating “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the petition. 

How Eric Dane’s Family Is Coping With His ALS Diagnosis

In an interview with PEOPLE Magazine, the 54-year-old actress and model shared that her state of mind had taken a blow following Dane’s diagnosis.

“I don’t think I’m at a place yet where I can pull out a positive nugget. I’m not there yet,” Gayheart confessed. Despite their split, the model stated that she would always consider Dane “family.”

The mother of two disclosed that the diagnosis had pulled them “closer,” but she wished it were happening under better circumstances. “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 lamented.

She also spoke about how she and their kids were adjusting to their father’s new normal, saying they are taking it “day-by-day.” 

“I mean, it’s heartbreaking. My girls are really suffering, and we’re just trying to get through it. It’s a tough time,” Gayheart concluded.

Eric Dane Disclosed His Diagnosis Shortly After The End Of His And Gayheart’s 7-Year-Long Divorce

As reported by The Blast, the “Euphoria” star announced that he had been diagnosed with ALS, a progressive and life-altering disease, in April 2025.

This revelation followed closely after he and his estranged wife, Gayheart, pushed the brakes on their legal battle that had dragged on since 2018.

Dane shared that he was glad to have his family as a support structure in the next phase, vowing not to back down in his acting career. 

“I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to the set of Euphoria next week,” the actor said at the time.

Gayheart Called Off The Divorce Process 

Despite going through a split from 2018 to 2025, Dane has his whole family by his side due to the abrupt end of their stalled divorce.

The “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood” star had filed for a divorce from Dane in 2018 and requested joint legal and physical custody of their daughters as well as spousal support. 

He accepted the terms in 2019, and the process began, but it stalled with no news until March 2025, when Gayheart withdrew her petition merely weeks before the deadline given to them by the court. 

Due to the prolonged case, a judge issued a “final notice” in January stating that if the case did not proceed, it would be thrown out entirely. A court date of March 20 was scheduled, with penalties attached should the parties not appear.

A Look At Rebecca Gayheart And Eric Dane’s Love Story

The beginning of the couple’s journey was as mundane as any typical day. Gayheart once revealed, “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.”

Despite their subtle start, the duo’s marriage made headlines following a leaked private video in 2009 of Dane, his wife, and another woman in a bathtub. 

The couple, however, managed to weather the scandal and raised two daughters together until Gayheart pulled the plug.

Despite the termination of the divorce proceedings, there is no confirmation that Gayheart and Dane are back together romantically.

Eric Dane Is Angry At The Possibility Of His Daughters Losing Their Father At A Tender Age

Amid his ongoing battle with ALS, the 52-year-old actor is deeply disturbed about leaving his girls fatherless at a young age.

Per The Blast, Dane reflected on losing his father when he was very young, saying his diagnosis increases the possibility of his children facing the same fate.

The actor came to the realization after the disease, which started with weakness in his left arm, had spread to his left arm. Dane fears that his mobility will completely fail, a future he doesn’t like to imagine.