Bar Refaeli stronger since split

Mar 25, 2010, 17:41 GMT

Bar Refaeli claims her split from Leonardo DiCaprio made their relationship stronger.

The Israeli supermodel and the Hollywood heartthrob had a six-month break last year and now they have reconciled, she believes it was the best thing that could have happened to them both.

The 24-year-old beauty added in an interview with L'Isha magazine: "It was a half year for which I am very grateful. I needed it. I came to understand a lot of things about myself.

"I worked on myself and I grew up. I didn't know what 'alone' was like. Today I know that a relationship can work only if you know you can be alone and you are not afraid. Today I'm not afraid of being alone."

Although she is very happy with the 'Shutter Island' actor, Bar insists the couple have no plans to marry in the near future.

She said: "I'm not thinking about getting married. I'm still young, not yet 25."

The pair are also keen to keep their romance out of the media spotlight in order to retain their privacy.

She said: "I am there for him and I am at all the events. I just don't walk in hand-in-hand with him. I don't see any reason. I don't need to strike poses with him in front of the cameras. No one needs to know how we kiss."