Reese's FRESH START

THREE MONTHS AFTER ENDING HER SECOND MARRIAGE, REESE WITHERSPOON EMBRACES LIFE ON HER OWN

Sometimes a picture really is worth thousand words. Barely a month after filing to divorce second husband Jim Toth, Reese Witherspoon shared a photo of herself with a magnolia blossom, which represents endurance and perseverance. She was also sporting a fresh look in the May 23 snapshot - post-breakup bangs. Reese let the Instagram image speak for itself, captioning it simply, "I love the South."

She's loving her new life as a single woman, too. "The long process of breaking up with Jim was very stressful," shares a source. "They realized that they were drifting apart, so like most couples, they attempted to make it work. They did counseling and tried date nights, but it didn't fix anything. They ended up butting heads and fighting a lot." It got "ugly" at times, adds the source, until "it was very clear that they were at a crossroads."

So in late March - just days before their 12th wedding anniversary they announced their marriage was over. Reese made it official with a court filing on April 1. "It wasn't an easy decision to make," notes the source. "Now that the dust has settled, though, she says she's never been happier."

ALONE & THRIVING 

She's had a few boons to pave the way. Two months after Reese, 47, and Jim, 52, a former talent agent and streaming service executive, parted ways, Forbes named the Oscar winner the wealthiest self-made female actor in the world. And, thanks to a prenup, Reese isn't handing over a huge chunk of her $440 million fortune.