Katie Holmes' marriage to Tom Cruise, and the eventual divorce, was racked with controversy. However, there's one good thing that came out of that situation, and that's 9-year-old Suri Cruise.

On Wednesday, Katie Holmes told People that he likes to set an example for her daughter to emulate.

"But she also is very generous of spirit on her own. And so she inspires me, as well," she said. "She's sensitive to the needs of others."

In a previous interview with Today's Matt Lauer, Katie Holmes that she's very grateful about having Suri Cruise in her life even with the difficult circumstances leading to her being born.

"I think, of course, you try your best," she said when asked how she's raising her daughter. "I try very hard because I am very grateful for my upbringing and my parents and siblings. I try to do what they did for me for my little one."

Katie Holmes continued, "The most important thing for me is letting her know how proud I am and that her accomplishments mean everything. Whatever I do is whatever. It's really just about her and that's what I think is most important."

As to her relationship with Tom Cruise, amid all the rumors that she's being harrassed by Scientology leaders, Katie Holmes added, "I never really look back. I just approach life one day at a time. I'm excited about where I am right now ... I've had some really wonderful creative experiences. I am just excited about the future."

This is the same mindset that Katie Holmes is carrying even as she moved with Suri Cruise to New York, away from the craziness of Hollywood.

"I don't really regret anything that I've done. I've learned from everything, and everything sort of leads you to the next place. I just keep going," the actress told Ocean Drive magazine.

Of being a parent to Suri Cruise, Katie Holmes told the magazine, "It changes you completely in such amazing ways, and I think that you become who you were meant to be. Being a parent also is a source of inspiration to just work really hard. You want to set an example-and, you know, [your kids] are what drives you."