Shannen Doherty's Ex-Husband Ashley Hamilton Pays Tribute After Her Death

’s ex-husband has spoken out after her death — revealing she once helped him through a difficult part of own life. 

“Shannen was not only my wife, she was my guardian angel,” Hamilton, who was married to Doherty from 1993 to 1994, told TMZ on Monday, July 15. “Even though things don’t always work out the way we hope they will, she stood by my side during some of my darkest times. My love and admiration for her lasted far longer than our short-lived marriage.”

Doherty died on Saturday, July 13, after a nearly decade-long battle with breast cancer. She was 53.

Hamilton, 49, added, “Watching her battle that horrific disease with such stoicism was inspiring to many, but even more so to me since I am a cancer survivor.”

Related: Shannen Doherty's Life in PhotosPrior to her July 2024 death, Shannen Doherty made a name for herself in film and television. The actress, born in Memphis in April 1971, started her career as a child star on Little House on the Prairie and went on to appear in the dark comedic film Heathers. Doherty’s fame continued to grow after […]

However, Hamilton — the son of actor and — watched Doherty’s fight from the sidelines, telling TMZ he regretfully never reached out to his ex-wife after she announced her diagnosis.

“The world lost a free-spirited soul and my heart aches for her and for all those who loved her,” Hamilton said. “May she rest in peace.”

Hamilton was Doherty’s first husband after the actress was briefly engaged to cosmetics heir in early 1993. The Beverly Hills, 90210 alum started dating Hamilton shortly after and the couple got married in September 1993 after less than a month together. Doherty filed for divorce in April 1994.

Shannen Doherty and Ashley Hamilton at LAX in 1993. Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images

Earlier this year, Doherty got candid about her relationship with Hamilton on her podcast “Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty,” telling former 90210 costar that it contributed to her being fired from the show after season 4. 

“Towards my last season, I was in a really horrible marriage and there were things transpiring in that marriage that made it very hard for me to consistently be on time for work,” Doherty said in the January episode. “And I know that that became a very big problem for the rest of you, because as it should be, because if everybody else is on time and you’re waiting for one person, it sucks.”

Doherty went on to marry poker player in 2002, but the marriage was annulled after just nine months. 

Related: Shannen Doherty and Estranged Husband Kurt Iswarienko's Relationship TimelineShannen Doherty and estranged husband Kurt Iswarienko split amid her battle with cancer. Doherty started dating the celebrity photographer in 2008. Iswarienko popped the question nearly three years later. Us Weekly exclusively confirmed in October 2011 that Doherty and Iswarienko tied the knot. Four years later, Iswarienko was by Doherty’s side when she was diagnosed […]

In October 2011, Doherty tied the knot with photographer , who Doherty was embroiled in divorce proceedings with until right before her death. According to paperwork submitted on Friday, July 12 — the day before she died — Doherty and Iswarienko indicated they were proceeding with their divorce as uncontested. 

Doherty originally filed for divorce from Iswarienko after 11 years of marriage in April 2023. 

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The estranged couple jointly filed a declaration for default of dissolution of their marriage, according to the docs.

“This matter is proceeding as an uncontested action,” the court documents stated. Doherty also waived her right to spousal support, writing, “I knowingly give up forever any right to receive spousal or partner support.”

Since Doherty’s passing, tributes have poured in from many of her famous costars and friends, including , , and . 

In this articleShannen Doherty

Shannen Doherty's Ex-Husband Ashley Hamilton Pays Tribute After Her Death

Shannen Doherty's Ex-Husband Ashley Hamilton Pays Tribute After Her Death

Shannen Doherty's Ex-Husband Ashley Hamilton Pays Tribute After Her Death

Shannen Doherty's Ex-Husband Ashley Hamilton Pays Tribute After Her Death

Shannen Doherty's Ex-Husband Ashley Hamilton Pays Tribute After Her Death