Katherine Heigl Attends Dog Rescue Event at Mar-a-Lago

The 'Grey's Anatomy' alum's first red carpet appearance in 2 years

Mar. 11, 2026 at 1:14am

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Actress Katherine Heigl made a surprise return to the spotlight, attending the Wine, Women & Shoes Benefiting Big Dog Ranch Rescue event on Sunday at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. This was Heigl's first red carpet event in two years, with her last public appearance being at the Emmy Awards in January 2024.

Why it matters

Heigl's return to the public eye after a two-year hiatus is notable, as the actress has been open about her struggles with balancing her career and family life. Her decision to move to Utah with her family in order to have more control over her children's upbringing has also been a topic of discussion.

The details

Heigl styled her hair in a bouffant and wore a colorful patterned dress, royal blue heels, and a bright yellow quilted Chanel purse. She attended the event with her mother, Nancy Heigl, and posed for photos with 'Dog Whisperer' Cesar Millan and Big Dog Ranch Rescue founder Lauree Simmons.

  • Heigl's last public appearance was at the Emmy Awards in January 2024.
  • The Wine, Women & Shoes Benefiting Big Dog Ranch Rescue event took place on Sunday, March 10, 2026.

The players

Katherine Heigl

A 47-year-old actress best known for her role on the TV series 'Grey's Anatomy'.

Nancy Heigl

Katherine Heigl's mother, who accompanied her to the event.

Cesar Millan

The 'Dog Whisperer', a dog trainer who attended the event.

Lauree Simmons

The founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, the organization that hosted the event.

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What they’re saying

“I could kind of decompress and let that hustle part of me go — a little bit. I don't know that in any career you can ever completely stop hustling, but being able to separate it a little bit and choose those times of hustle versus just being in it constantly was really important to me.”

— Katherine Heigl

The takeaway

Heigl's return to the public eye after a two-year hiatus highlights her efforts to balance her career and family life, including her decision to move to Utah to provide a more stable upbringing for her children. Her appearance at the dog rescue event suggests a continued commitment to philanthropic causes.