Shania Twain, a true icon of the ’90s and early 2000s music scene, has long been celebrated as one of the finest talents of her generation.
It’s well-known that her musical journey was closely intertwined with her ex-husband, Robert “Mutt” Lange, who produced some of her biggest hits. The pair were married from 1993 until their split in 2008, with their divorce finalizing in 2010.
Their marriage ultimately unraveled due to Lange’s betrayal — he had an affair with Twain’s close friend and personal secretary, Marie-Anne Thiébaud.
Reflecting on the emotional turmoil of that period, more than a decade later, Twain shared her current feelings about the ordeal in an interview. Despite the deep hurt, she has found a way to forgive Lange, though not to forget his actions.
“Forgiveness is in the family of letting go. But forgiveness, more specifically for me anyway, is not about forgetting necessarily,” Twain shared with Jamie Laing on his podcast, Great Company, on May 28.
“It’s about understanding the other person, and that might mean that they’re wrong … Maybe you believe forever that whatever they did was wrong.”
It has been reported that Lange was unfaithful for most of their marriage, a truth that came to light when he initiated their separation in 2008. Since then, Lange and Marie-Anne Thiébaud have reportedly led a quiet, married life.
Despite the pain, Twain holds no bitterness towards her ex-husband. “Do I hate my ex-husband for making a mistake? No. It’s his mistake. Not my mistake… [I feel] So sad for him that he made such a great mistake that he has to live with. And I don’t know what that is, but it’s not. That’s not my weight,” she continued.
Following her divorce, Twain found love again with Frédéric Thiébaud, the ex-husband of Marie-Anne. While she hasn’t completely forgiven Lange, she has embraced empathy as a guiding principle in her life.
“He’s a human being that deserves empathy and understanding. I think we all do, you know?” said Twain.
Though interactions between Lange and Twain are now rare, they both remain committed to co-parenting their now 22-year-old son, Eja.