Inside William Shatner's tragic age-gap marriage to model wife he risked his life...

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https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainm...936e2227&ei=14

Story by Hannah Hargrave

William Shatner has been married four times but it's the story of his third wife, Nerine Kidd, which remains one of the most heartbreaking and extraordinary tragedies in Hollywood history.

The Star Trek star was deeply in love with Nerine, but she had a troubled life that eventually led to her death.

She battled hidden addictions which resulted in a life-changing scenario for her and William. Here's what we know.

Their romance

William met model Nerine Kidd in 1994 when he was directing a TV project in Toronto. Despite a 28-year age gap, the chemistry between the star and model was instant.

William later described the attraction as a "thunderbolt," and said he was entirely captivated by her energy, beauty, and sharp wit.

The couple tied the knot in a star-studded ceremony in Pasadena, California in November 1997. Star Trek alum, Leonard Nimoy — who played Mr. Spock — stood by Wiliams's side as his best man.

During the reception, William affectionately called Nerine "my queen," and told guests that she had "pummeled her way into my heart."

Nerine's demons

Behind the scenes of their beautiful-looking Los Angeles lifestyle things were fractured. Nerine was fighting a severe and deep battle with alcoholism.

William later recounted the ordeal in his memoirs. He said he had been naive to the depth of her illness during their relationship and once they became husband and wife, the disease took full hold.

William tried desperately to save his wife and orchestrated multiple visits to elite rehabilitation facilities, including the famous Betty Ford Clinic.

Leonard Nimoy, who was a recovering alcoholic himself, even stepped in to try and support Nerine through her darkest moments.

The strain on the marriage was immense and just ten months after saying "I do," William filed for divorce in October 1998. He'd hoped it was a wake-up call for Nerine.

Nerine's heartbreaking death

The climax of Nerine’s struggles occurred on August 9 in 1999. William had spent the day visiting his daughters in Orange County but when he returned to the quiet Studio City home he shared with Nerine, she was nowhere to be found.

At the time, William was 68 and took the huge risk to dive into the water, fully clothed, to pull his 40-year-old wife to the surface. William attempted to administer CPR while frantically dialing 911, but it was already too late. Nerine was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation

The Los Angeles Police Department launched an investigation into the incident. Nerine was a strong, lifelong swimmer who used the pool daily and so, the circumstances initially baffled the public.

However, the autopsy and toxicology revealed Nerine's blood-alcohol level was more than three times the legal driving limit. The coroner concluded that Nerine had likely been diving or swimming under the heavy influence of alcohol, misjudged the water, and truck her head on the bottom or side of the pool. She suffered a neck injury, and lost consciousness which led to an accidental drowning.

How William moved on

The loss of Nerine shattered William. The morning after her death he told reporters at his home: "My beautiful wife is dead. She meant everything to me."

William has since channeled his grief into healing and founded the Nerine Shatner Memorial Fund, which helps fund Friendly House, a Los Angeles-based non-profit recovery home that assists women rebuilding their lives after battling substance dependency.

He went on to eventually find love again, but the loss of Nerine remains an emotionally difficult period in his life.