Ashton Kutcher’s Journey from Divorce to Fatherhood

Ashton Kutcher’s Journey from Divorce to Fatherhood

While accepting the Robert D. Ray Pillar of Character Award in West Des Moines, Iowa, this past weekend, Ashton Kutcher credited rumors of infidelity during his marriage to — and 2013 divorce from — Demi Moore with helping shape the man he is today.

“I’m also probably the first person to get this award for character who had, like, his name splashed across every gossip magazine as an adulterer like five years ago,” he said, alluding to his high-profile split from the 54-year-old actress.

“Character comes when those magazines tear you apart for something you may or may not have done and you gotta go out and perform tomorrow — with everyone looking at you like you might be an adulterer.”

Kutcher and Moore wed in 2005 despite their much buzzed-about 15-year age difference.

When they split six years later, a friend of the 39-year-old actor said the marriage “[had] been deteriorating for a long time.”

Moore “really wanted to save the marriage but couldn’t deal with the pain of his cheating,” added the friend.

The breakup followed reports that 22-year-old Sara Leal alleged a one-night stand with the Two and a Half Men star on his sixth wedding anniversary with Moore.

The couple announced their split in separate statements.

“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have decided to end my six-year marriage to Ashton,” said Moore in a statement. “As a woman, a mother and a wife there are certain values and vows that I hold sacred, and it is in this spirit that I have chosen to move forward with my life.”

Kutcher added, “I will forever cherish the time I spent with Demi. Marriage is one of the most difficult things in…