She lit up the screen in the ’90s, but her life off-camera was far from perfect. After enduring two high-profile divorces and public addiction struggles, an unexpected reunion brought her the peace she had been searching for.
During the height of her career, she became a household name, starring in hit shows like “Melrose Place.” She also appeared in popular films such as “The Return of Swamp Thing” and “The Perfect Man.” Audiences adored her, and her career in Hollywood seemed unstoppable.
A portrait of the actress in 1980 | Source: Getty Images
Away from the spotlight, though, she was quietly dealing with personal struggles that would eventually make headlines. As she battled personal demons, the pressures of fame and family life began to mount.
The film star poses for a photograph in 1981 | Source: Getty Images
Love and Loss: Two Marriages, Two Divorces
While her acting career flourished, her personal life was marked by high-profile relationships that ended in heartbreak. Her first marriage was to actor, composer, and Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee. The couple tied the knot in 1986 and stayed together for seven years. However, the union ended in divorce in 1993.
The “Melrose Place” alum with Tommy Lee on March 22, 1986 | Source: Getty Images
Not long after, she found love again with Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora. On December 17, 1994, the couple got married in Paris. They welcomed a daughter almost three years later and seemed to have it all. But after 11 years of marriage, they too parted ways.
The movie star and Richie Sambora at Universal Studios on October 17, 1996 | Source: Getty Images
The actress filed for divorce in 2006, citing irreconcilable differences. According to court documents, she requested physical custody of their 8-year-old daughter, with visitation rights for Sambora. The petition also revealed a prenuptial agreement, determining the division of their assets.
The actress with her husband and daughter on April 1, 2005 | Source: Getty Images
The split was particularly hard on the “Melrose Place” alum. It signaled the start of a difficult period that would see her personal struggles come to light.
Richie Sambora with the actress attend the 54th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 19, 1997 | Source: Getty Images
A Battle with Addiction: Her Darkest Hours
After her second divorce, her emotional struggles deepened. While filming “Flirting with 40” in 2008, she appeared to be at her best, radiating health and energy on set. According to the movie’s executive producer, she was a joy to work with, full of charm and humor.
The actress pictured on January 17, 2008 | Source: Getty Images
But those closest to her knew she was suffering behind her famous smile. Her ex-husband’s relationship with her former friend Denise Richards only intensified her anguish. By June 2008, she decided to voluntarily check into a treatment facility in Arizona.
Her publicist, Cece Yorke, confirmed that she requested an in-depth evaluation of her medication and sought treatment for her mental health issues. “There was no intervention. She went in on her own. She wanted to feel better and get to the bottom of what was troubling her,” Yorke shared.
The actress seen in 2008 | Source: Getty Images
After four weeks of treatment, she returned home in July 2008, with friends describing her as feeling much better and looking “radiant.” Despite these efforts, her challenges escalated in 2018.
In February, she was arrested for felony domestic violence and three counts of misdemeanor battery on police officers, after deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at her home.
A police booking photo after the actress’ arrest on February 25, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
She allegedly became combative during the arrest, leading to additional charges. The following month, she entered rehab for addiction treatment. Her battle with substance abuse continued. In May 2019, it was confirmed that she had checked into an in-patient rehab facility once again.
According to sources, she had left rehab briefly before Christmas 2018 but hadn’t returned until May. Friends close to the family shared that her struggles with alcohol and pills were taking a toll on her family, particularly her daughter, Ava Sambora, who was then 21.
A handout photo of the actor provided by the Ventura County Sheriffs Office on June 24, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
“She doesn’t want anybody to hold her accountable. She has no job, nothing to keep her accountable. This has been tearing up her family. It’s been an ongoing issue for many many years,” the source divulged.
In August 2019, after pleading no contest to eight misdemeanors, including six related to battery of police officers or EMTs, she was sentenced to 30 days in a residential mental health facility. The judge stayed a 120-day jail sentence, contingent on her completing the mental health treatment.
The actress pictured on January 8, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Finding Sobriety and Love
After years of personal struggles, she took a major step forward in 2019. Following her treatment in a mental health facility, she decided to get sober, and by April 2020, she was celebrating one year of sobriety.
Sharing the milestone on Instagram, she posted, “Hugs will come later! 1 year sober today!!!” Her recovery brought a new sense of peace and stability into her life, something she had been missing for years.
Friends close to her reported that she was in a much better place, both mentally and emotionally. She looked healthier, and her future seemed brighter. Her relationship with her daughter, Ava, also remained strong despite the challenges they had faced together.
The film star with her daughter Ava Sambora at the premiere of “Never say Never” on February 8, 2011 | Source: Getty Images
According to sources, Ava maintained a loving and supportive relationship with her mother, recognizing that her recovery was ultimately in her own hands.
During her journey to sobriety, an unexpected reunion brought love back into her life. In her late 50s, she reconnected with her high school sweetheart, Chris Heisser. The two had graduated from Newbury Park High School together in 1979.
Despite the four decades that had passed, their bond reignited when they found each other again. The couple’s relationship had its ups and downs, especially during the difficult years when she struggled with addiction. However, by April 2020, as she celebrated her first year of sobriety, their relationship had grown stronger, and they got engaged.
At the time, she was 58 years old, and their engagement was a significant moment of renewal in her life. In 2021, they celebrated their 60th birthdays, with Heisser, whose birthday is just two days before hers, joking, “Can you believe we’re turning 60?” She embraced the milestone, saying she felt youthful, describing herself as a “young 60.”
A picture of the actress on October 7, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
That same year, she returned to acting after a five-year break, taking on a leading role in the Lifetime movie “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story.” The film is based on the true story of Kristine Carlson, co-author of the popular “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff book series”
It focuses on Kristine’s journey through grief and healing after the sudden death of her husband. The themes of love, loss, and personal resilience in the movie resonated deeply with her, mirroring her own struggles and recovery. This comeback marked a significant turning point, as she re-entered the public eye with a sense of stability and purpose.
Now at 63, Heather Locklear is a testament to resilience and the power of second chances. With her family by her side and a renewed passion for her career, she is living proof that it’s never too late for a fresh start.
