Meital Dohan wanted a family but she knew it was too much to ask from Al Pacino who already had children and a family.
Being attracted to someone and falling in love could happen unexpectedly, it's not something we can always execute as per a plan. While everything may seem right at that moment, there is more clarity in the relationship as it progresses.
Hollywood icon Al Pacino was in a relationship with a woman much younger to him. Though the couple felt their age difference would not impact the feelings they had towards each other, things began to change over time. In the end, the couple broke up in Feb 2020 after two years together. The star's ex, actress Meital Dohan opened up about the factors that led to their split.
According to USA Today, the Israeli actress's words proved age was not just a number. Being 39 years younger than the Godfather star, Dohan stated that it was one of the factors that hindered a long-lasting relationship with the star.
"It’s hard to be with a man so old, even Al Pacino. The age gap is, yes, hard. I tried to deny it, but now he is already an elderly man, to be honest. So even with all my love, it didn’t last." said Dohan, according to People.
After two years of dating the legendary actor, Dohan said she understood it was difficult for her to accomplish her personal dreams if she continued her relationship with the actor.
"Two years is a long time and I was like: 'We love each other, but where is this going? I really want to have kids.' It’s harder when someone’s that much older than you, because I still have a family to build, while he already has a family," she said, according to the Daily Mail. The actor is father to three children from previous partners.
Having recognized their different priorities, Dohan decided to part ways with the actor. "Sadly, there seems little chance that things might change. At his age, it’s a rigid decision," said the Weeds actress.
The 43-year-old further went on to say that she still loves and appreciates Pacino despite their split. “I had a fight with him and left him recently, but of course I really love and appreciate him and I was glad to be there for him when he needed me, and to be a part of his legacy,” she continued.
“It’s an honor for me. I’m glad this relationship happened between us, and hope we remain good friends," said the actress to People.
When asked about the gifts he bought her, Dohan hinted that the actor was more or less stringent with his money. “He only bought me flowers. How can I say politely that he didn’t like to spend money?” she said.
However, looking back at their love and romance, Dohan alludes to it as "incredible."
"It was an amazing, generous and beautiful love. What happened between us was bigger than materialistic things like flowers or chocolates or diamonds or cars," she said, according to the Daily Mail.
"It was one of the most incredible love stories of my life, but there was an acknowledgement that we’re both at different places in our lives," she continued.
According to Cheat Sheet, Dohan and Pacino met at a Hollywood after-party. "We met at a social event before a screening. It was crowded, and we literally bumped into each other. Like everyone else, I thought he was cool, an amazing actor and very good-looking," said Dohan, according to the Daily Mail. Sparks flew in the air and the couple's connection was instantaneous. "We started talking and connected immediately. It was like I was seeing sparkly stars and hearts in the air between us," recalled Dohan.
After just three meetings, Dohan was head over heels for the charming actor. She argued age was just a number and felt they were just meant to be.
"In your 30s you’re more selective about who you are going to be involved with. I didn’t want anyone moving into my house. But I felt this relationship was meant to be. We had a deep connection of souls," said Dohan. Later, the couple began to seen together occasionally. However, they remained private and low key. In October 2019, the couple was seen together at the Netflix premiere of Pacino’s film The Irishman. The star was also joined by his daughter Olivia at the event.
But time showed the actor and the actress that they had to move ahead individually in separate directions, no matter how much they loved each other.
References:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/02/18/al-pacinos-ex-why-they-broke-up-hard-man-so-old/4798787002/
https://people.com/movies/al-pacinos-ex-girlfriend-meital-dohan-says-they-split-due-to-difficult-36-year-age-gap/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8140483/What-learned-older-men-dating-AL-PACINO.html
https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/al-pacinos-girlfriend-meital-dohan-blames-their-breakup-on-difficult-age-gap.html/
