Former Alabama first lady 'doing fine' after divorce

October 2, 2015 at 1:58 p.m. | Updated October 2, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.

by Associated Press

In this Nov. 15, 2010 photo, Alabama first lady-elect Dianne Bentley is pictured at her home in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The woman who drove Robert Bentley from one campaign stop to another during the race for governor wasn't a paid campaign staffer. That was his wife because the long-shot candidate couldn't afford a drive. "I didn't want him out there by himself, so I said, 'I'm going with you,'" Dianne Bentley said. (AP Photo/Phillip Rawls)
In this Nov. 15, 2010 photo, Alabama first lady-elect Dianne Bentley is pictured at her home in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The woman who drove Robert Bentley from one campaign stop to another during the race for governor wasn't a paid campaign staffer. That was his wife because the long-shot candidate couldn't afford a drive. "I didn't want him out there by himself, so I said, 'I'm going with you,'" Dianne Bentley said. (AP Photo/Phillip Rawls)
photo In this Nov. 15, 2010 photo, Alabama first lady-elect Dianne Bentley is pictured at her home in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The woman who drove Robert Bentley from one campaign stop to another during the race for governor wasn't a paid campaign staffer. That was his wife because the long-shot candidate couldn't afford a drive. "I didn't want him out there by himself, so I said, 'I'm going with you,'" Dianne Bentley said. (AP Photo/Phillip Rawls)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Former Alabama first lady Dianne Bentley said she is "doing fine" days after her divorce from Gov. Robert Bentley, and she still hopes to represent the state in an unofficial capacity.

WSFA-TV reported that Bentley made the comments Thursday night in Montgomery during an event to raise awareness of domestic violence.

Dianne Bentley filed for divorce from the governor in late August, citing an irretrievable breakdown, and a judge officially ended their 50-year marriage on Tuesday.

"I'm doing fine. The Lord is good and he is holding my hand and guiding us through this, and we just appreciate all the support and the prayers of the people of Alabama that have been with us," Dianne Bentley said.

She added: "I like to say that I once was first lady of Alabama and I'm not first anymore, but I'm still a lady, and I still want to represent the state of Alabama as a lady."

Bentley's comments came outside the state Capitol at a rally against domestic violence. Bentley campaigned for domestic violence awareness and prevention as first lady for five years, and she said she wants to continue doing that.

"This is just very dear to my heart," she said.

Bentley said she also is open to helping with other causes she supported while she was first lady.

"If I can, I would be glad to help. I love the adoption of foster children. That's very dear to my heart. So any way that I could be used by the Lord, I'm at his service and I'd be happy to be used," she said.

Court records shed little light on the specific differences that led to the Bentleys' divorce, but documents show the governor disagreed with the contention that the marriage was beyond repair.

Upcoming Events