Sylvester Stallone has opened up about his major divorce U-turn with wife Jennifer Flavin, revealing a “tragic mistake” led to an almost-marriage ending row.

Sylvester Stallone revealed he made a “tragic mistake” that nearly caused his 25-year marriage to end.

“Sometimes I put the work ahead of [my family], and that is a tragic mistake which won’t happen again,” the Rocky star told The Hollywood Reporter in a new interview published on Monday.

Stallone’s wife, Jennifer Flavin, 54, filed for divorce from the actor in August. At first, the split seemed acrimonious, as Stallone, 76, covered his tattoos dedicated to the former model.

Sylvester Stallone and wife Jennifer Flavin have been married for 25 years, but experienced a headline-grabbing hiccup earlier this year. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
It was initially believed that a fiery fight over a dog caused the marriage to end, but Stallone denied that a “trivial argument” was the root of the split.

“I have the highest respect for Jennifer. I will always love her,” he said at the time.

“She’s an amazing woman. She’s the nicest human being I’ve ever met.”

Then, just as quickly the divorce papers were lodged, the case was dismissed after the pair reconciled.

At the time, it was reported Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin had argued over his dog. Picture: Instagram

“Hopefully you’re involved with people who understand the foibles of life and the fragility of it and how rare a real good relationship is,” the actor told THR.

Since the reconciliation, the on-again duo have been spotted at various events, either by themselves or with their three daughters, Sophia, Sistine and Scarlet.

The pair reconciled a month after filing for divorce. Picture: AFP
Stallone also had two sons – Sage and Seargeoh – with first wife Sasha Czack, who he was married to from 1974 to 1985. Sage Stallone died in 2012.

Sylvester Stallone previously described his and Flavin’s brief split as an extremely “tumultuous time” that triggered a change in his behaviour.

“There was a reawakening of what was more valuable than anything, which is my love for my family,” he said.

“It takes precedence over my work, and that was a hard lesson to learn.”

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and has been reproduced here with permission