‘I’ve been on the floor heartbroken, I didn’t know how I was going to stand up'
The actress split with husband Jesse James in 2010, amid allegations that the motorcycle ace had been cheating.
‘I’ve been on the floor and I’ve been heartbroken,’ Sandra told a UK newspaper. ‘I didn’t know how I was going to stand up. But I just gave it time.
‘You don’t think it will pass when you’re in the middle of it, but it does. I’m so lucky to have what I have. I have a beautiful child and friends and family I adore.’
The 49 year-old had planned to have a family with Jesse, and the couple had begun the adoption process before their marriage broke down.
After the divorce, Sandra continued on her own to adopt baby Louis, now three, who she credits with teaching her how to live life to the full again.
I was OK about being alone but when you have a child everything is about being out in the world and seeing things
‘I was OK about being alone but when you have a child everything is about exploration and being around other kids and being out in the world and seeing things,’ said Sandra.
On her new lease of life, the single mum revealed: ‘now I see things through his eyes. I haven’t ever gone out and explored and done things before like I have in the last three years.’
‘I have the best life right now because I’m enjoying every single moment of this amazing human being. I’m learning how to have a good time through him.’
She added: ‘I choose to do what’s best for Louis. I don’t do anything selfishly for myself any more.’
Ive got everything I want, and it couldn’t be sweeter
Sandra also revealed she is single and doesn’t need a man in her life: ‘I’ve got everything I want, and it couldn’t be sweeter, better or more fulfilling.’
And despite the speculation surrounding her relationship with long-term friend George Clooney – who she stars alongside in latest film Gravity - the star insited the pair have never dated.
She said: ‘We’re basically brother and sister and that’s why we adore each other so much.’
But she did credit the heart throb with making filming during her painful breakup more bearable, adding: ‘having George around was like having a life force in the room that reminds you not to take everything too serious.’