Refaeli Thankful for Brief Split From DiCaprio

Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli credits her six month split from onoff boyfriend Leonardo DiCaprio last year (09) with saving their romance - because the time apart forced her to "grow up" and learn about herself.

The beauty has been romantically involved with DiCaprio since 2005 but they parted briefly last summer before reuniting again by the end of the year.

Refaeli admits she was devastated by the relationship breakdown and went through a "tough time" dealing with her emotions - but the time apart proved to be key to their chemistry when they eventually got back together.

The 24 year old tells Israel's L'Isha magazine, "It was half a year forwhich 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".

The couple recently dismissed reports it's engaged to wed and the modelinsists she's too young to settle down. She adds, "I'm not thinking about getting married. I'm still young, not yet 25".

But Refaeli is supportive of everything the Titanic hunk does - even though she rarely walks the red carpet at high profile events with him

"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 withhim in front of the cameras".