Ashley Hamilton was married to Shannen Doherty from 1993 to 1994.
Ashley Hamilton, the ex-husband of the late Shannen Doherty, is paying tribute to the actress, revealing her profound impact on his life. Hamilton, who was married to Doherty from 1993 to 1994, expressed his enduring admiration for her in a heartfelt statement.
"We were kids when we married in her backyard on a whim in 1993 - Shannen was at the height of her career, and I was at the height of my addiction. She was a pillar of strength to me during my darkest times," Hamilton shared with ET.
"We divorced in 1994 but when I heard the news of her initial diagnosis I was rooting for her from the stands. Her tenacity was unparalleled - if anyone was going to whip cancer’s ass it was Shannen. As she did with everything in life, she fought this disease with her best fight, doing it with grace, humor and in true Shannen style, no filter. My heart breaks for her mom and for her countless loved ones."
Doherty died on Saturday, July 13, at the age of 53, after a long battle with cancer. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. Following numerous rounds of chemotherapy, she announced she was in remission in 2017, but revealed in February 2020 that it came back as metastatic stage 4 cancer.
Hamilton, 49, reflected on her courageous fight against the disease, noting it's personal resonance as he himself is a cancer survivor.
"Watching her battle that horrific disease with such stoicism was inspiring to many, but even more so to me," he said. Hamilton, the son of actor George Hamilton and Alana Stewart, admitted he never reached out to Doherty after her diagnosis, a regret he now carries.
"The world lost a free-spirited soul and my heart aches for her and for all those who loved her," Hamilton continued. "May she rest in peace."
Doherty was Hamilton’s first wife, following her brief engagement to cosmetics heir Dean Jay Factor in early 1993. The Beverly Hills, 90210 alum and Hamilton married in September 1993, less than a month after they began dating. Doherty filed for divorce in April 1994.
Doherty went on to marry poker player Rick Salomon in 2002, but the marriage was annulled after just nine months. In October 2011, Doherty tied the knot with photographer Kurt Iswarienko. The two were in the middle of divorce proceedings until shortly before her death. According to documents filed on Friday, July 12, the day before she died, Doherty and Iswarienko indicated they were proceeding with an uncontested divorce.
Doherty originally filed for divorce from Iswarienko after 11 years of marriage in April 2023. The estranged couple jointly filed a declaration for default of dissolution of their marriage, and Doherty waived her right to spousal support.
Since her passing, Shannen has been remembered for her career, life and friendship by fans, friends and co-stars, including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jason Priestley, Brian Austin Green, Jennie Garth, Tori Spelling, and many more.
RELATED CONTENT:
