Following the passing of Eric Dane on February 19, 2026, attention has turned to Rebecca Gayheart and her long-standing connection to businessman Peter Morton. Morton, best known as the co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, built a global hospitality empire after launching the first location in London in 1971. Over the decades, he expanded the brand internationally and later sold his shares for hundreds of millions of dollars. His personal life has included high-profile marriages and profound loss, including the death of his son, Harry Morton, in 2019. Gayheart has reportedly been linked to Morton since 2023, during a period when she and Dane were living separately though still legally married. The pair were photographed together publicly in late 2025, drawing renewed curiosity about her personal life.

Gayheart’s relationship with Morton unfolded alongside her complex bond with Dane, whom she met in 2003 and married years later. Despite filing for divorce in 2018, the couple never finalized it, ultimately dismissing the case in 2025. They remained close co-parents to their daughters, Billie and Georgia, and described their relationship as deeply familial, if unconventional. Shortly after publicly affirming their friendship, Dane revealed his ALS diagnosis. Throughout his illness, Gayheart stood by him as a steadfast supporter, even as both had dated other people over the years. Dane passed away at 53, surrounded by Gayheart and their daughters. While her connection to Morton has drawn public interest, Gayheart has made clear that her priority remains her family and honoring the enduring bond she shared with Dane.