Woman Cheated On at 56 Has Powerful Message for Those Facing ‘Gray Divorce’ [Video]

Mary Kay Bartelt, 58, once believed she had found her soul mate.

Her relationship began with a whirlwind romance marked by passion and shared interests. But a revelation of infidelity unraveled it all, leaving Bartelt alone at 57 without a job—she had quit at her ex’s suggestion—and with the task of building an entirely new life. Bartelt spoke to Newsweek about her experience navigating divorce after 50, and what she hopes other women going through “gray divorce” might realize about their potential for a joy-filled life.

A romance, a revelation

“We began dating, and she quickly swept me off my feet,” Bartelt remembered of her ex-wife. “It came on really fast and furious, but I was so smitten, and before I knew it, we were engaged and married within a year of meeting. It really was a fabulous relationship for quite a long time.”

Bartelt and her ex traveled the world, enjoyed cultural outings, and …