Marie-France Ward Once Filed for Divorce from Actor Fred Ward: Inside Their Relationship

In early 2022, the world mourned the loss of veteran actor Fred Ward. The Hollywood star is survived by his wife, Marie-France Ward, who once filed for divorce from the actor before the couple "resolved" their issues.

The third time proved to be the charm for Fred Ward, as in the 1990s, he and his wife Marie-France Ward said "I do" and spent the following nearly three decades together.

But it wasn't always smooth sailing for the couple, as in 2013, Marie-France Ward filed for divorce from her husband. However, it only took the actor's wife less than a month to change her mind after the couple worked things out.

Marie-France Ward Cited Irreconcilable Differences as the Reason for Her and Her Husband's Divorce

Marie-France and her husband were often photographed as a happy couple in the past. In 2002, the pair wore beaming smiles and posed in each other's embrace while at the premiere of "Abandon" at the Paramount Studios in Hollywood.

Marie-France was by her husband's side the year before that when they attended the "Summer Catch" — co-starring Freddie Prinze Jr., Jessica Biel, and Brittany Murphy — premiere at Mann's Village in California.

Marie-France and her husband proved they were still going strong in 2004 when they attended the premiere of "10.5" at Laemmle Monica Theater in Santa Monica.

In May 2022, Marie-France's husband's publicist, Ron Hofmann, confirmed to PEOPLE that the actor had died at 79 years old.

The couple were pictured once more in 2011 when they stepped out for the premiere of "30 Minutes Or Less" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. However, in 2013, Marie-France made headlines when it was revealed she was filing for divorce from her actor husband.

Divorce papers filed at the L.A. County Superior Court revealed irreconcilable differences were cited as the cause for the separation and that Marie-France was seeking spousal support.

Marie-France Ward Later Changed Her Mind about Divorcing Her Husband

Marie-France filed for divorce from Fred in August 2013; however, later in the month, she changed her mind and filed a request for dismissal. Her husband later shared the couple had worked through their problems, stating:

"We had filed for divorce and quickly thereafter withdrew the paperwork because we had resolved our issues. After 18 years of marriage, we are still very much in love."

Marie-France Ward Lost Her Husband to Undisclosed Causes

In May 2022, Marie-France's husband's publicist, Ron Hofmann, confirmed to PEOPLE that the actor had died at 79 years old. The cause and location of death were not revealed upon the request of the Hollywood star's family.

"It was Fred Ward's wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of donations to the Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center," Ron shared. Marie-France's husband is survived by her and her stepson, Django Ward, whom her late husband welcomed during his second marriage to his then-wife, Sylvia.

Marie-France's husband named his son after gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt and said, "I want to travel, but I am very committed to being a father, and I am going to do it as well as I can."