Rebecca Gayheart reflected on her immediate reaction to Eric Dane‘s ALS diagnosis.
“I went into my closet and closed the door,” Gayheart, 55, recalled in an interview with People, which was published on Thursday, October 22. “I was always telling him, ‘You’re going to be OK, we’re going to figure this out.’”
Gayheart referred to that day as “a punch in the gut,” adding, “It took my breath away.”
Amid Dane’s health battle, the pair prioritized spending time as a family with their two daughters, Billie, 16, and Georgia, 14.
“We tried to be present through all of our fear and frustration and uncertainty,” Gayheart added. “It was truly an exhausting and heartbreaking experience, but it also showed us his extraordinary strength every day, and that was really wonderful for the girls and myself to witness.”
Dane announced in April 2025 that he was diagnosed with ALS, a neurodegenerative condition with no known cure. He died one year later at age 53.
“He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world,” read a statement from Dane’s loved ones in TK MONTH. “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.”
The statement concluded: “Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”
Before his death, Dane expressed frustration over how the progression of his illness impacted his daughters.
“I’m angry because, you know, my father was taken from me when I was young and now there’s a very good chance I’m going to be taken from my girls while they’re very young,” Dane said on Good Morning America in June 2025. “At the end of the day, all I want to do is spend time with my family and work a little bit if I can. … They’re loved. They know it.”
In her interview with People, Gayheart revealed what she misses most about Dane. “After the kids downloaded me on their day, I’d call him and be like, ‘Oh, my God, there’s a boy that likes Georgia,’” she said. “Or when Billie got her driver’s license, I wanted to call him so badly because that was something he was really excited about.”
The model also shared what she would tell Dane now.
“I’d say that I’m proud of him, that we all love him so much, and I hope he really felt that,” she added. “I’m going to look after these girls and protect them with everything in my body and soul. And we’re not going to let people forget him.”
