Jennie Garth Shares How Beverly Hills, 90210 Cast Leans on Each Other After Shannen Doherty's Death (Exclusive)

The Beverly Hills, 90210 cast have endured a lot together over the years. The tough times, in particular, have proven to drive them closer together — and the recent death of their costar, Shannen Doherty, is no exception.

Opening up about how the group has navigated the loss, Doherty's former costar Jennie Garth tells PEOPLE that because they've all known each other since they "were all so young, it's a connection that it's really hard to explain."

"People don't, I think, fully understand it when you experience life-changing events like that for so long together during your formative years, you have a connection that can never ever be broken by an argument, or a death, or opinion," the Me by Jennie Garth designer shares.

Doherty's longtime publicist Leslie Sloane confirmed to PEOPLE exclusively that the actress had died on July 13 following her years-long battle with cancer. "The devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace," Sloane concluded while honoring Doherty, who was 53 at the time of her death.

Doherty is the second loss for the Beverly Hills, 90210 cast. Luke Perry died in March 2019 at age 52 after suffering a stroke.

The cast came together when Perry died, and they did the same with Doherty. On a recent episode of her I Choose Me podcast, Garth shared a glimpse into the cast's text reaction to the Charmed alum's death and revealed how they supported each other during that time.

"No matter what, there's that connection there, and it will be there for the rest of each of our lives and beyond," Garth explains to PEOPLE. "I think just really honoring that connection, and we have been supportive."

The What I Like About You actress adds, "We do reach out to each other here and there and offer each other support and just tell each other we love each other."

For more on Jennie Garth, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands everywhere Friday, or subscribe here. 

Garth also spoke to PEOPLE about the launch of her new QVC line, Me by Jennie Garth. As she started to evaluate her life's journey upon entering her 50s, she desired to not live life with regret, pushing her toward taking a big chance on her newly-released fashion-related endeavor.

"Turning 50's a big deal to the world, but it is really a big deal. You start to look at things a little differently," she explains. "You have a new clarity about what you want to do next [and] what you want to spend your precious time doing. And I was able, at least, to say, I don't want to do this, this, and this anymore. I want to focus on something else. And then, you have that clarity within yourself to believe it."

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Me by Jennie Garth is now available to shop on QVC.