Naomi Watts Opens Up About 'Beautiful' Romance With Heath Ledger

Reporting by UsWeekly

Three years after his death, Heath Ledger has certainly not been forgotten, especially not by his former girlfriend, Naomi Watts.

The 'Dream House' and 'J. Edgar' actress, 43, dated Ledger from 2002 until 2004, and tells More magazine that the late Australian star -- who died in 2008 -- forever left an indelible mark on her life.

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"We had a beautiful relationship, only a couple of years, but he was a man who was completely full of joy, and there was a lot of laughing and affection. He was really a very special soul," Watts, who now has two sons with Liev Schreiber, tells More.

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In remembering her late beau, Watts says she can sympathize with the Aussie actor's daughter, Matilda, who turns six in October, because she also lost her father at a young age.

"Not knowing my father always made me feel like a piece of myself was missing or unknown. Not reachable," Watts revealed. "Growing up, there was this wondering what he would think of me or what I would think of him."

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"[Heath was such] a great actor, but I know there was so much more to come. It's such a tragedy for his little daughter, Watts says of Matilda, whose mother is Ledger's 'Brokeback Mountain' co-star Michelle Williams.

Click through to see more photos of Heath and Naomi during their romance ...

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