Why Hil And Chad Split

Hilary SwankThirteen years is a long time to be married in our modern world...

So what happened to break up Hilary Swank and Chad Lowe?

The double Oscar-winning actress, who announced her divorce in May, has revealed that Chad's alleged substance abuse was the foundation of their problems.

She told Vanity Fair magazine: "I knew something was happening but I didn't know what.

"When I found out I was in shock... and yet on another level, it was confirmation of something I was feeling that was keeping us from being completely solid.

"There were other factors, but that just kind of blew it open."

But Hilary is also proud of Chad's efforts to beat the problem.

Hilary with Chad Lowe"(His habit) is an enormous obstacle to overcome, and he's doing it. I'm really proud of his sobriety."

The 31-year-old actress denied that her overwhelming success in films such as Boys Don't Cry and Million Dollar Baby had anything to do with the split.

She said: "Chad is very supportive of my career. He is, I think, genuinely happy for my success... I think that any frustration for him stemmed from the lack of opportunities in his own career."

Hilary was determined to support Chad, 38, through his problems: "When I found out, I wanted to be there. That's when he needed me the most."

The pair met in 1992 at a Hollywood Athletic Club party, and Hilary said it was "love at first sight".

And she revealed she doesn't see their marriage as a failure: "It takes two to make something work or not work. In the end it just didn't work, but I would never look back on this relationship as failed.

"I look at it as 13 and a half years of success."