The Truth About Kate Walsh's Divorce

Kate Walsh is known for many things — playing Addison Montgomery-Shepherd on "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice," Rebecca Wright on NBC's "Bad Judge" and, more recently, Olivia Baker on "13 Reasons Why." But while her public accolades are well-known, Walsh's fans may be surprised to learn about her personal life, specifically when it comes to her relationships. 

In 2007, according to Showbiz CheatSheet, Walsh started dating 20th Century Fox executive Alex Young. The relationship got serious quickly, and not long after dating, Young proposed to Walsh. The two got married on September 1, 2007, in Ojai, California. According to People, guests at the wedding included Walsh's co-stars Katherine Heigl, Chandra Wilson, and "Grey's Anatomy" creator Shonda Rhimes. At the time, Walsh told People, "I know — I'm literally living the dream. But you know when you know. I was not expecting it, so it's kind of amazing."

But it's what happened next that still has fans surprised. 

Only a little over a year after Kate Walsh and Alex Young got married, the two divorced. According to Showbiz CheatSheet, Young filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Speaking to Redbook in 2009, Walsh admitted, "I don't think anyone gets married thinking that they will get divorced. We certainly did not. Alex and I still care for each other, and I wish him nothing but the best."

In February 2010, People reported that their divorce was finalized after the two had been married for only 14 months. In the settlement, Young received $627,000, as well as half of Walsh's "Private Practice" residuals. A portion of the settlement read, "One-half of the community property furniture and artwork to be divided by alternating picks after the flip of a coin to determine who will pick first" (via People). Walsh kept the couple's home and piano. The two did not have any children together. 

Kate Walsh has not remarried since her divorce from Alex Young. She has certainly kept busy, though. Not only has she been busy filming "Emily In Paris," but the actor also returned to "Grey's Anatomy." When Walsh sat down with Variety in October, she shared, "It felt just beautiful and I was so pleased. For years and years, there wasn't an interview that I've ever done where someone hasn't said, 'So fans are wondering, will you ever go back to Grey's?' And so, I did." Walsh added that the experience was successful and she was "delighted." 

She continued, "One of the great experiences of having been on 'Grey's' way back in the day, when it first began, was this crazy meaning of it being critically acclaimed and being a delight to do as an actor, [while] having mass appeal and having fans just love it." Interestingly enough, Walsh says she was warned by Patrick Dempsey that returning to the set would be an emotional experience. He reportedly told her that the experience would be "intense," which wasn't surprising, because when the group was cast on the show to begin with, it had a profound impact on their lives. She told Variety, "It was easy to show up, emotionally, and just all of a sudden get cracked open in the elevator because there's just so much."

Walsh clearly appears to be thriving, and is continuing to ride the wave of her successful career.