Rebecca Gayheart Shares How Daughters Billie And Georgia Are Doing After Dad Eric Dane's Passing
Seven months after Eric Dane died from ALS, his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, has offered a rare glimpse into the lives of their teenage daughters and how they have been coping with the loss.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleSeven months after the death of Eric Dane, Rebecca Gayheart is offering a rare glimpse into how their teenage daughters are navigating life without their father. The 55-year-old actress opened up about her daughters Billie Beatrice, 16, and Georgia Geraldine, 14, sharing how they have all been there for one another as they "hang in there," trying to adapt to this new normal.
During a conversation with PEOPLE at Step Up's 2026 Annual Inspiration Awards in Los Angeles on Friday, September 25, 2026, Gayheart acknowledged that the family is going through a difficult period following Dane's death from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) earlier this year.
Rebecca Gayheart has stayed close to her daughters ever since Eric Dane's death
Eric and Rebecca married in Las Vegas in 2004 after meeting the previous year. Although they filed for divorce in 2018, the actress requested that the divorce proceedings be dismissed in March 2025, with both ultimately signing off on the documents.
Dane publicly revealed his ALS diagnosis to PEOPLE in April 2025. At the time, the Grey's Anatomy star said he was grateful to have his family beside him as they faced what he called a new chapter. Although he and Rebecca were no longer living together at that time, she became deeply involved in his care during his illness.
Eric Dane was only 53 when he lost his battle to ALS on February 19, 2026. After his passing, now that both their daughters are in high school, it has added another major transition to an already difficult year. Rebecca told PEOPLE:
"You know, we're hanging in there. I think it's definitely a challenging season, but we're doing our best...The girls are both in high school, which is also a big transition under any circumstance, so I'm just staying close to my kids."
For Gayheart, simply being close to her daughters has become one of the most important ways she gets through difficult days. She also credited her friends and the people around her for helping her process the loss. She said:
"[I connect with] friends. My children. Being under the same roof with my kids and having them next to me, safe, always makes me feel better."
Rebecca had previously explained that she wanted Billie and Georgia to understand the importance of being there for their father. She recalled telling the girls on Rachel Bilson's Broad Ideas podcast, "He is our family. He is your father...We show up, and we try to do it with some dignity and some grace and just get through it." At the time, the actress admitted that she didn't know whether she was handling the situation perfectly.
Eric Dane's powerful last words for his beloved daughters
Hours after Eric Dane's passing in February 2026, Netflix released Famous Last Words, a 50-minute documentary on his life and the people who meant the world to him. In the confidential taping meant to be released only after his death, the Euphoriastar left a powerful and tear-jerking message to his loved ones, including an unedited message addressed to Billie and Georgia.
Even though he fought with everything he had, somewhere, Eric silently knew that his days were limited, and he wanted to express everything on his heart while he still had the chance, before ALS took away his ability to speak. He wanted Billie and Georgia to know four important lessons about life that his disease taught him. Dane said:
"You have to live now. The present is all you have. Treasure it. Cherish every moment."
Eric wanted his daughters to know the philosophy of love. His second message to Billie and Georgia was to "fall in love," not necessarily with a person, but "with something" that "makes you want to get up in the morning, drives you through the entire day." He asked them to "find your path, your purpose, your dream," and then "really go for it."
In his final message, Eric urged his daughters to fight with everything they had, no matter what life placed in their path. He candidly revealed that ALS may have weakened his body, but it never broke his spirit. He said, "You can face hell with dignity. Fight, girls, and hold your heads high." His final words were:
"Billie and Georgia, you are my heart. You are my everything. Good night. I love you."
Still grieving, Rebecca and her daughters are doing exactly what Eric had asked them to do, and for now, simply showing up may be enough.
Image courtesy: Rebecca Gayheart/Instagram, Eric Dane/Instagram, Netflix
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