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Ryan Dorsey remembers late ex-wife Naya Rivera on her birthday: 'Still in disbelief'

4:53
Naya Rivera’s family speaks out 1 year after her tragic death
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
ByMason Leib
January 12, 2025, 9:51 PM

Ryan Dorsey is remembering his late ex-wife Naya Rivera on her birthday, over four years after her death at age 33.

The "Big Sky" actor took to Instagram on Sunday to share a poem he wrote to Rivera, who died in an accidental drowning while swimming in Lake Piru in Southern California in July 2020.

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"Happy Heavenly Birthday," Dorsey began his post. "5 birthdays since you've been gone. Thoughts everyday about how it went wrong. The memories attached to places, Still see all the things, see all our faces."

"Visions of happiness and sadness, 15 years flash by when I hear a certain song. I shake my head often still in disbelief, They say time heals all, but all is not grief," Dorsey continued.

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Next, Dorsey shared his commitment to the pair's son, 9-year-old son Josey Hollis Dorsey.

Actors Naya Rivera and Ryan Dorsey attend the March Of Dimes Celebration Of Babies Luncheon honoring Jessica Alba at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., Dec. 4, 2015.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

"Doing the best I can for our JoJo Binx, As the time goes by, Im often alone and sit and think. I think more of our better times, Like this picture from the past, but it still f------ stings," he wrote.

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Dorsey concluded his emotional tribute, "So give Emmy and Lucy one good rub, And if you're reading this, Be kind to the one's you love, You'll never know when you give your last hug. 🤍"

Dorsey and Rivera were married for four years before divorcing in 2018.

Dorsey grieved his ex-wife in a July 2020 Instagram post following Rivera's death, writing at the time: "There's not enough words to express the hole left in everyone's hearts," continuing, "I can't believe this is life now. I don't know if I'll ever believe it."

At the time of her death, the "Glee" actress was alone on a boat with her son, who was then 4 years old. Josey Hollis Dorsey told authorities that he and his mother went for a swim and that afterward, he got back in the boat, but his mother did not.

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Naya Rivera honored by ex-husband, 'Glee' cast on her 34th birthday

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Naya Rivera's family reflects on her life, legacy 1 year after her death

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