Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty. Vivien Killilea/WireImage
Shannen Doherty is revealing fresh insight into the breakdown of her marriage with Kurt Iswarienko.
In the inaugural episode of her "Let's Be Clear with Shannen Doherty" podcast, which debuted on Tuesday, December 5, the 52-year-old actress disclosed that she had to undergo brain surgery after discovering that Iswarienko, 49, had reportedly been unfaithful to her.
"Entering the surgery early in the morning, I had just learned that my marriage was essentially over, with my husband having an affair for two years," she recounted. "I couldn't bring myself to go through the surgery with him present, despite his desire to be there. I felt deeply betrayed."
Doherty expressed gratitude to her loved ones for their support during the breakdown of her marriage while battling cancer.
By day’s end, I felt overwhelmingly unloved by someone I had been with for 14 years, someone I loved wholeheartedly,” she stated. “Enduring all of that while grappling with the decision to pursue a divorce and seeking the truth of the situation was so difficult."
Doherty initiated divorce proceedings from Iswarienko in April after 11 years of marriage. Her spokesperson, Leslie Sloane, asserted at the time that Iswarienko’s agent played a significant role in the separation.
“Shannen didn't want a divorce,” Sloane stated. “But she felt like she had no choice."
Newly acquired documents reveal that the couple separated in January. Doherty's battle with breast cancer began in 2015, and after two years of chemotherapy, she announced that she was in remission. However, in 2020 the cancer returned, this time at stage IV. Last month, Doherty shared the heartbreaking news that the cancer has spread to her bones.
On Wednesday’s podcast, Doherty admitted that she’s been “obsessed” with finding out the truth regarding Iswarienko’s alleged infidelity.
Shannen Doherty and Kurt Iswarienko. Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
After 14 years together, is it not fair for the person you cheated on to know the absolute truth, regardless of the pain it may cause them?" she questioned, adding that she spoke to the woman her partner had been unfaithful with for two years.
Doherty described the end of her third marriage as "embarrassing," after having been previously married to Ashley Hamilton and Rick Salomon. She expressed a sense of dismay at her inability to maintain a relationship, but affirmed her belief in love. While acknowledging some responsibility for the issues in her marriage, she ultimately placed blame on her ex-husband, citing the impact of cancer on their relationship.
Despite how her marriage came to an end, Doherty admitted she “couldn’t” walk away immediately.
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Check out this deal! "I was experiencing confusion and was on steroids and other medication after brain surgery to prevent swelling," she said. "It's still very difficult. I chose to file for divorce, but I have many memories with this person."
We has reached out to Kurt Iswarienko’s rep for comment.