Cote de Pablo’s departure from NCIS in 2013 left fans devastated, but the real reason behind her exit has remained a mystery—until now. In a deeply personal interview, de Pablo revealed that her decision to leave the show was driven by love, but it ultimately led to heartbreak.

The actress admitted she had made the tough choice to walk away from her iconic role as Ziva David to be with someone special, believing that love was worth prioritizing over her career. “I thought I had found the person I wanted to spend my life with,” she said. “But sometimes love isn’t enough, and life changes in ways you don’t expect.”

While she didn’t name the person involved, sources speculate it was a high-profile relationship that didn’t work out, leaving de Pablo heartbroken. “It was a painful chapter, but it taught me a lot about myself,” she added.

Fans were left stunned by the revelation, with many expressing their empathy and admiration for de Pablo’s openness. Though her exit from NCIS was one of the most emotional moments in TV history, it seems her journey since has been just as complicated, but filled with valuable life lessons.