Guy Pearce Says Ex-Wife Kate Mestitz is the ‘Greatest Love’ of His Life

Guy Pearce is reflecting on his relationship with ex-wife Kate Mestitz.

“My ex-wife, Kate, was the greatest love of my life, but I’ve moved on from her now and the greatest love of my life is my child, Monte,” Pearce, 57, said in an interview with The Guardian published on Saturday, January 18, referring to his son with whom he shares with girlfriend Carice van Houten.

While opening up about his “biggest disappointment,” Pearce said he “felt like I messed up my marriage.” He added, “I don’t feel that way anymore, but at the time I was devastated.”

Pearce and Mestitz, 58, met in 1980 when they attended Geelong College and tied the knot in 1997. In January 2015, the couple shared that they had parted ways.

“Rumors r true I’m afraid — Kate and I parted ways back in Jan,” Pearce wrote via X at the time. “Sorry 2 be boring but we couldn’t be closer. We’ll love each other 4 ever xx.”

Pearce later released a statement, confirming the end of their marriage. “Kate and I will always love and support one another and be the best of friends,” he said. “No one knows me like Kate does, and we’ll forever be appreciative of our mutual respect. We’ve both grown enormously through our relationship, but sadly, the time has come to part ways.”

Pearce also shared images of Mestitz, with one that he captioned, “The best 20+ years of my life — with this beautiful lady…”

Related: Kit Harington and Wife Rose Leslie’s Relationship Timeline

Love on the set! Kit Harington and Rose Leslie met while filming season 2 of Game of Thrones in 2011. While Harington starred as Jon Show in the HBO hit, Leslie made several appearances as Ygritte during seasons 2 to 4. While the actress’ character was killed off in 2014, the twosome had begun an […]

Pearce has since pursued a relationship with van Houten, 48, with whom he welcomed Monte in 2016. The couple currently reside in the Netherlands.

“A cute little package arrived and told us his name’s Monte Pearce. We think we’re gonna keep him. Placenta smoothie anyone?” Pearce wrote via X in 2016, tagging the Game of Thrones actress.

In the years following Monte’s arrival, Pearce has gotten candid about fatherhood. “After Monte was born, someone said to me, ‘You realize you’re now living with your heart on the outside?’ And it really is true, isn’t it?,” Pearce told The Independent in a 2021 interview. “When I started acting, I knew if I needed to cry that it could come out easily. Then after 15 years of therapy, I became a far calmer and more satisfied human being, but trying to cry in a scene became impossible. Since having my boy though, I cry at the drop of a hat again.”