Strength Through Cancer & Divorce
- Shannen Daughter passed away from metastatic breast cancer on June 13, 2025—just one day after reportedly settling her divorce with her former husband, Kurt Iswarienko.
- Some details into her divorce settlement were reported after her passing, with Fox News Digital saying that legal papers stated, “It is the mutual wish and desire of the parties” to finalize the issue.
- Before Doherty’s passing, the beloved actress endured on going cancer treatment and stress from her divorce, however, she remained hopeful and grateful for all that she had despite adversity.
- Cancer patients oftentimes find themselves navigating a wide range of emotions that impact their mental health. When it comes to dealing with anxiety and stress, psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin says it’s important to have a healthy relationship with your anxiety and get to know it rather than fear it, avoid it, or push it away.
The finalization of her divorce, as per court documents obtained by PEOPLE, was done on July 12, 2025, when Doherty signed a filing to waive spousal support. Doherty, known for her memorable acting roles in “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Charmed,” and “Fortress,” ultimately consented to a “default or uncontested dissolution” of her and Iswarienko’s marriage, meaning they both chose to put an end to their divorce not before the court.
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Iswarienko was also reported to be in charge of buying the late actress’ interest in their shared Mooney-20 Airplane “for the sum of $100,000” in one payment, five days after their Camarillo Hangar is sold.
Lastly, other property to be sold with split proceeds was their Texas residence and some of Iswarienko’s photographic work [a catalog] made amid their marriage.
Iswarienko was needed to remove photos of Doherty from his website and was forbidden to “exploiting the photographs,” as per the reported documents obtained by Fox News Digital.
Learn to Accept Yourself — A Huge Part of Living With Cancer
As for Doherty’s cancer journey, she was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 after she discovered a lump in her breast. She underwent hormone therapy, a single mastectomy (the removal of all breast tissue from one breast), chemotherapy and radiation.Then in 2017, she was declared in remission, however, the cancer returned just two years later in 2019, as metastatic breast cancer.
Then at the start of 2023, Doherty, she revealed the cancer had spread to her brain and she underwent her first round of radiation to her head, followed by brain surgery to remove and biopsy a tumor on Jan. 16, 2023. And just weeks before Doherty’s passing on June 13, 2025, the late actress revealed she was diving into the unknown and starting a new round of chemo because her body had become immune to prior treatment and her cancer cells had adapted.
Doherty’s publicist Leslie Sloane, informed the public on June 13, 2025, “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty …
“The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace.”
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How Actress Shannen Doherty’s Diagnosis Impacted Her Relationship
Doherty no doubt endured an emotional roller, especially following her divorce her former husband Kurt Iswarienko after undergoing major cancer surgery.
Just last year, Doherty underwent brain surgery due to metastatic breast cancer spreading to her head in January. Four months later, she filed for divorce from Iswarienko.
According to People Magazine, Doherty and Iswarienko separated in January 2023, although Doherty’s representative said, “Divorce is the last thing Shannen wanted.”
The representative also claimed at the time that, “The split has taken a toll on Doherty’s cancer battle.”
Meanwhile, RadarOnline reported that Iswarienko said, at the time, that the couple married in October 2011 and that the date of their separation was to be determined.
According to divorce papers, Doherty reportedly claimed “irreconcilable differences” as the reason she and Iswarienko were divorcing. She also asked for spousal support from her former husband.
During a recent episode of her “Lets Be Clear With Shannen Doherty,” podcast, Doherty explained, “Obviously, divorce is not easy, especially when you really loved someone. And I did love my husband. And when you get so hurt by their actions that you just feel betrayed and like a sucker, it’s really hard.
“But also, because I’m going through a lot of health stuff … as you know, I’m going through stage four cancer, which is at this point is not curable, but protocols stop working, your body adjusts to them, becomes immune to them, your cells change, your cancer cells adapt, the molecular makeup of them changes and then you have to go to a different protocol. But before you even realized what’s happened, your cancer progresses.”
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Referring to another struggle in her life on the June 24 episode, on how she had to start back up on a new chemotherapy treatment, Doherty added, “It’s a little scary, I know that I’m slowly going to lose my hair again, which is horrible. This is going to be the third time I’ve lost my hair.
“And to just be walking into the unknown .. .I just feel like my life has been unknown for over a year now, between divorce and cancer.”
Doherty concluded her podcast by tell her listeners how determined she was to continue fighting the disease to have more time with loved ones and urging others to have more respect to for those in the public private and their private matters, like divorce.
Managing Your Mental Health in the Face of a Health Challenge or Major Life Change
It’s only natural for health challenges and divorce have some sort of effect on one’s mental health. Although Doherty appeared to be coping well with all the changes leading up to her death, it’s important to note that the diagnosis of a cancer or disease or some external stressor like a troubled relationship can offset your mental health in ways you least expect.
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Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik previously told SurvivorNet that emotions will be fluid when facing a diagnosis. SurvivorNet has some tips to help keep your mental and emotional health in a good space if you find yourself coping with a stressful situation.
The National Institute of Mental Health advises to seek professional help if you are experiencing severe or distressing symptoms that have lasted two weeks or more, such as:
- Trouble sleeping
- Changes in appetite
- Struggling to leave bed in the morning because of your mood
- Trouble concentrating
- Loss of interest in things you usually enjoy
- Inability to perform normal daily functions and responsibilities
Equally as important is recognizing the value of self-care. The National Institute of Mental Health offers practical guidance on how to boost your weekly self-care routine.
- Regularly exercising
- Eating healthy, regular meals
- Staying hydrated
- Prioritizing sleep
- Exploring relaxation programs or techniques
- Setting goals/priorities
- Staying positive
- Connecting with others
Battling cancer comes with a ton of emotions. These can range from “anxiety, depression, financial toxicity, social isolation, and PTSD,” SurvivorNet expert and researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center Dr. Shelly Tworoger says.
Psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin also shared some simple tips to help you maintain good mental health and reduce stress amid adversity.
When it comes to dealing with anxiety, Dr. Strongin says it’s important to have a healthy relationship with your anxiety and get to know it rather than fear it, avoid it, or push it away.
Dr. Strongin explained, “By learning more about your anxious thoughts and tendencies, one can begin to answer their anxious thoughts even in moments when there aren’t any answers. For cancer patients, the worry thoughts tend to be, ‘Will I survive?’
“It’s important to let those thoughts come in and really be able to tolerate them before answering them. This is a very powerful coping skill.”
Dr. Strongin suggests medications to help with anxiety and depression if other approaches are not as effective. She also urges cancer warriors to explore telemedicine.
How to Support a Partner with Cancer
Feelings of “helplessness, lack of control, guilt, anger, embarrassment” are some common emotions parents, siblings, and other relatives within the household of someone battling a health condition may experience, according to researchers.
MacMillan Cancer Support, a charity that advocates for cancer patients, says communication is a vital tool in helping support a partner with cancer, and it could help a couple understand each other better.
“It can help to ask your partner what support they would like and find useful. This makes sure you help where it is most wanted and needed. It can also help you avoid misunderstandings,” the charity said.
Communicating your feelings is something licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin also believes is vital to helping couples dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
Dr. Strongin adds that people faced with cancer should “surround [themselves] with individuals who care and support [them]” throughout treatment while also acknowledging their limits on what they can handle.
“Going through [cancer] treatment is a very vulnerable and emotionally exhausting experience,” Dr. Strongin wrote in a column for SurvivorNet. “Noticing what you have strength for and what is feeling like too much [is] extremely important to pay attention to as you navigate treatment.”
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you find yourself struggling with a diagnosis or helping a loved one cope with their emotions, consider asking your doctor the following questions:
- How can I go about improving my outlook/mental health?
- Are there any activities I can do to encourage positive feelings?
- When should I seek other interventions if I’m still struggling?
- What are the steps to finding a different therapist if the one I’m using is not working out?
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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