Naomi Watts On Heath Ledger’s Death: ‘It’s Still Incredibly Difficult’

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Naomi Watts,Nicole Kidman,Heath Ledger,Divorces,Australian,Celebrities

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Naomi Watts on the cover of Parade Magazine
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Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber pose on the red carpet at the National Board of Review
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A pregnant Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber attend a screening of ‘Filth and Wisdom’ in New York

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FIRST PUBLISHED: January 29, 2009 4:16 PM EST
LAST UPDATED: January 29, 2009 4:34 PM EST

NEW YORK, NY --

Naomi Watts has opened up about the death of former flame, Heath Ledger.

In a new interview with Parade magazine, Naomi told the Sunday insert that Heath’s death by accidental overdose one year ago, is not something she is over.

“It’s still incredibly difficult,” the actress, who dated Ledger until 2004, said.

Naomi fell for Heath when the two were paired on the set of “Ned Kelly” in 2002. And, though both were Australian actors, Naomi said she “hadn’t really been that familiar with his work.”

“Then, when I got to the set and did that first scene with him, I was like, ‘Wow! This guy is alive.’ It was just something deep in his eyes. You could look into them, and they would tell a thousand stories in one glance,” Naomi recounted. “There was a wonderful mixture of power and fragility at work in everything he did, which just pulls you in. His strength didn’t scare you. It intrigued you. And his fragility touched you.”

Naomi famously found love after her well-publicized split with Heath, thanks to actor Liev Schreiber, with whom she now has two children.

“He’s a complicated man, which I’ve always been drawn towards. He’s fiercely intelligent,” Naomi told the mag.

The couple welcomed their most recent addition to their brood – baby Samuel Kai Schreiber, in December 2008.

Though Naomi, Leiv, Samuel and his elder brother, 18-month old Alexander, make them a family of four, so far the adults of the family have no plans to get married.

“It’s not like I’ve grown up having this dream of a fairy-tale wedding,” Naomi said. “My mother married twice and had two divorces. And Liev comes from the same kind of background. Maybe one day we’ll just wake up and go, ‘Hey, let’s do this.’ And maybe not. He and I have a family. We’re very much together. We just don’t have that certificate, and that’s okay with both of us. He gave me a beautiful ring, although I’m not wearing it right now.”

Naomi also opened up about her relationship with her good friend Nicole Kidman, who she said offered encouragement when her early career stalled.

“I remember many times saying, ‘Oh, I just can’t do it. I’m going to wrap it up and call it a day.’ And Nicole would say, ‘Hang in there,’” Naomi recounted. “She told me that it just takes one thing—and she was right in the end.”

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