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Gemma Ward keeps memory of Heath Ledger alive by recalling relationship

It  is well known that Gemma Ward was sent reeling when news reached her of the accidental death of former lover Heath Ledger.

And even though she has moved on, finding love with photographer David Letts, model Gemma Ward refuses to relinquish the memory of her former flame, actor Heath Ledger.

The 27-year-old, who has been strutting her stuff along the runway at this year's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, told WHO magazine: 'I try to reflect and send him some prayers.'

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Remembering: Model Gemma Ward, pictured at the Buro 24/7 Australia launch at Sydney Opera House on Tuesday, still sets time aside to reflect on her relationship with actor Heath Ledger seven years after his death

Remembering: Model Gemma Ward, pictured at the Buro 24/7 Australia launch at Sydney Opera House on Tuesday, still sets time aside to reflect on her relationship with actor Heath Ledger seven years after his death

Former flame: At the time of actor Heath Ledger's death in January 2008, the pair were reported to have been dating, and Gemma was left shaken by his sudden demise from an accidental drug overdose

Former flame: At the time of actor Heath Ledger's death in January 2008, the pair were reported to have been dating, and Gemma was left shaken by his sudden demise from an accidental drug overdose

Gemma vanished from the catwalk at the height of her modelling career for six years only to emerge last year.

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She has previously revealed Heath's death at the age of 28 sent her spiralling downwards and, after the birth of her daughter, Naia, she stepped away from the limelight to take stock on life.

She told the Sunday Telegraph: 'I had to slow down, take a step back and look at my life,' adding: ''If you feel trapped you don't realise you can do something about it.'

Mummy's girl! The Australian-born babe credits her daughter Naia for encouraging her to relax her diet and for giving her new direction in life

Mummy's girl! The Australian-born babe credits her daughter Naia for encouraging her to relax her diet and for giving her new direction in life

Indeed, Gemma, the youngest model to grace American Vogue, has now taken on a number of work projects after exploring different options and seeking professional help for depression.

The model-turned actress, who made her acting breakthrough in 2008 in Australian-British film The Black Balloon, is the voice of Coca-Cola Life and walked for Ellery at MBFWA.

'I thought "yeah, Im ready to do that, I really want to go back,"' she told WHO.

Happy family: The model, who was named as the top ten highest earning model by Forbes in 2007, gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Naia, in December 2013. Picuired with partner David Letts at Bluesfest

Happy family: The model, who was named as the top ten highest earning model by Forbes in 2007, gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Naia, in December 2013. Picuired with partner David Letts at Bluesfest

During her hiatus, she started writing short stories and films, trekked around Nepal and America, learned to play guitar and piano and met her partner David.

Workwise, she starred in scary movie The Strangers, before making appearances in Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides in 2011, and The Great Gatsby in 2013. 

There are moments she still battles her mind 'going a million miles' but she turns to meditation to try to switch off.

Today, the Perth-born star credits the birth of her 16-month-old daughter for helping her to view life differently and says she plans to extend her brood in time.

First big film: Gemma made her major acting debut in 2008 in Australian/British film The Black Balloon opposite actor Rhys Wakefield

First big film: Gemma made her major acting debut in 2008 in Australian/British film The Black Balloon opposite actor Rhys Wakefield

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the said she believes Heath would have been proud of her transition from the runway to the big screen. 

'He probably would have (been proud) to be honest, if I had told him that’s what I wanted to do,' she said, adding she has kept in contact with some of his family members in Perth, where both she and the late actor Heath were raised.

'(Heath and I) first met in New York and we were both struggling with things that I won't get into, and we bonded over that,' Gemma told The Herald Sun in 2011. 

'There was no one like him and no one will ever be like him. I'm just so grateful I got to meet him and get as close as I did with him'. 

Onscreen stunner: She also starred in Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides in 2011

Onscreen stunner: She also starred in Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides in 2011

Runway sensation: Gemma made her Australian fashion week debut in 2003 at the age of just 15 (pictured at Paris Fashion Week four years later in 2007) 

Runway sensation: Gemma made her Australian fashion week debut in 2003 at the age of just 15 (pictured at Paris Fashion Week four years later in 2007) 

  

 

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Abbie Anker

Update: 2024-05-15