Kate Winslet Speaks on Divorce from Sam Mendes, 'I've Learned a Great Deal About Myself'

Actress Kate Winslet opened up for the first time about her 2010 divorce from Skyfall and American Beauty director Sam Mendes in the most recent issue of Harper's Bazaar UK.

"I've really learnt a great deal about myself, in the last four years in particular," Winslet told the magazine.

"I think I can see more clearly now - about how the pattern of past experiences has shaped who I am and the characters I have played - and I'm grateful for that."

The Titanic actress has certainly kept busy over the last several years. In 2009, she netted her first Best Actress Oscar for The Reader. The next year she ended her marriage to her second husband, Mendes, after seven years together. Winslett had a brief affair with British male model Louis Dowler before meeting her current husband, Virgin Galactic executive Ned Rocknroll on Necker Island. The private Caribbean island is owned by Sir Richard Branson, Rocknroll's uncle.

The two were drawn together after narrowly surviving a destructive house fire and announced to the world that they were married in December of last year.

Winslett has two children, one from each of her first two marriages. 8-year-old Joe is Mendes' son while her daughter Mia, 12, came from her first husband (who is also a director) Jim Threapleton.  

For what it's worth, Winslet doesn't look back on the hardships of the past few years with any negativity. The actress told Harper's Bazaar UK that she views it as an opportunity.

"I have so much more material to draw on for work - rubble, bricks - and I know I can carry it now."

Winslet also gave the fashion publication her thoughts on the Queen, saying that Her Majesty has "beautiful skin" and "wonderful thick hair".

The interview with Winslet will appear in the April issue of Harper's Bazaar UK.