Wladimir Klitschko Talks About Hayden Panettieres Passing with a Final Message

Rachel Perkins | August 18, 2026 | Celebrity | No Comments

The unexpected passing of Hayden Panettiere has left her loved ones and supporters in search of understanding, prompting the father of her child to speak out.

Wladimir Klitschko, the heavyweight boxing champion, delivered his first public statement after Hayden’s death, revealing deeply personal sentiments that highlight troubling aspects of her last months.

Hayden passed away on August 16, 2026, at the age of 36, following a 911 call about an unresponsive woman at Judson Mill Lofts in Greenville, South Carolina.

As per dispatch audio acquired by the Daily Mail, the emergency call came in around 1:51 p.m., with a female dispatcher initially mentioning Hayden’s condition as a ‘cardiac arrest’, while a male dispatcher later suggested a suspected overdose.

Hayden Panettiere attended an Emmy nominees event in West Hollywood in September 2022. In later interviews, she spoke openly about the personal struggles she faced away from the spotlight.

First responders performed chest compressions in an attempt to revive her, but Hayden was declared dead at the scene around 2:32 p.m., shortly after the emergency call was made.

On Monday, a spokesperson for the Greenville Police confirmed to the Daily Mail that authorities responded to a report of an unresponsive female at Judson Mill Lofts, located at 701 Easley Bridge Road.

"Upon our arrival, we administered medical assistance; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was confirmed deceased at the scene," the spokesperson explained.

The police department noted that the investigation is ongoing in collaboration with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, stating that the preliminary findings did not reveal any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.

Authorities indicated that an acquaintance of Hayden made the 911 call, and further details have yet to be disclosed. Judson Mill Lofts, a converted textile mill dating back to 1912, offers various apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom units priced between $1,295 and $3,485 per month. The cause of death is still pending.

Hayden Panettiere attends an event in 2022, years before her sudden death at 36. Her death was later reported to be under investigation, with police saying there were no initial signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.

Wladimir’s public remarks in the aftermath of Hayden’s passing have taken on a more poignant significance. Before he shared his emotional tribute, he had previously posted a brief message about resilience that now resonates differently.

On August 18, Wladimir conveyed a message via X, emphasizing resilience as the ability to rise after facing life’s most challenging moments.

Two days following Hayden’s death, Wladimir publicly addressed the tragedy for the first time in an Instagram post, which also recognized their daughter.

Wladimir Speaks Out After Hayden’s Tragic Passing

"Our family is experiencing an overwhelming sense of shock and sorrow," Wladimir stated. "The news of Hayden’s tragic passing fills me with profound sadness. She departed this world far too early." } , {

Though Wladimir and Hayden were no longer a couple, he emphasized her lasting significance in his life. "While Hayden is no longer my partner, she remains an important figure in my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya," he reflected. He also acknowledged the pressures Hayden faced during her career in the entertainment industry.

"She achieved an extraordinary career through her incredible talent, while also grappling with the darker aspects of a demanding industry. The moments we shared and the place she holds in our lives will never fade away."

Wladimir Klitschko and Hayden Panettiere attend an event together in 2011, during their relationship years before welcoming their daughter, Kaya. The couple later remained close as co-parents, with Wladimir remembering Hayden as an important part of his life and the mother of their daughter.

Wladimir then turned to their daughter, Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, assuring that Hayden’s memory would always be a part of her life. "To our daughter Kaya, I’ll always speak fondly of her mother and ensure she remembers who she was."

He requested privacy for the family as they mourn and expressed gratitude for those who extended their condolences. Concluding his message to Hayden, Wladimir shared heartfelt sentiments.

"Rest in peace, Hayden. May you find eternal tranquility. #WeLoveYouHayden."

While Wladimir’s tribute shed light on the family’s grief, new revelations from the apartment where Hayden lost her life have raised additional questions about her last moments.

A Troubling Discovery Found on the Mattress

As reported by TMZ, Narcan was discovered in the apartment where Hayden died, with the device utilized to deliver the drug found on a mattress.

Narcan, or naloxone, is a medication designed to swiftly reverse an opioid overdose. The National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that naloxone binds to opioid receptors, restoring normal breathing when someone’s respiration has slowed or stopped due to an overdose.

However, the presence of the medication does not clarify who it was intended for. TMZ mentioned that two ambulances responded to the scene, suggesting that another individual may have also been in distress. This raises uncertainty about whether it was Hayden who received the Narcan.

According to TMZ, epinephrine was also administered, a common drug used in resuscitation efforts during cardiac arrest. Narcan is described as a nasal spray that can rapidly reverse life-threatening opioid emergencies and can even be effective in situations without opioids being present.

This distinction is critical as investigators continue to uncover the circumstances surrounding Hayden’s passing, given that the mere presence of Narcan does not definitively determine the cause of death.

Additionally, there are indications that Hayden’s physical condition had been noticeably deteriorating in the months leading up to her death.

Struggles with Mobility in Her Final Months

In March, Hayden was seen at LAX using crutches alongside Brian Hickerson. When questioned about her crutches, she mentioned in footage obtained by the Daily Mail that she was dealing with "pinched nerves in my lower back."

Despite her struggles, she attempted to reassure those around her, stating that she was ‘on the mend,’ smiling and giving a thumbs-up before entering a black SUV.

However, individuals close to her reported that the issue was more severe than her brief public comments indicated. Erick Orellana, Hayden’s friend and hairdresser, revealed she had been experiencing significant pain earlier that year.

"She endured intense pain earlier this year concerning her back," Erick shared. He characterized the pain as ‘very severe’ and noted it affected her mobility.

Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson are seen together in 2023. Their relationship later became the subject of renewed attention following reports that the pair had remained romantically involved in private.

"At one point, it was even challenging for her to move her legs," Erick added. Another source stated that Hayden sometimes appeared fatigued and struggled with anxiety. "Earlier in the year, she did seem somewhat tired. But she was a night owl and had a lot on her plate," the insider explained.

This source also mentioned that Hayden "experienced anxiety at times" and would "occasionally take medication for that."

"Every now and then, that could affect her speech," the source noted. Erick, however, believed Hayden was showing signs of improvement. Yet, footage from May has taken on a different meaning in light of her death.

Hayden Panettiere attends an event in 2022. Some years after friends said she experienced severe health issues that affected her mobility.

Footage from May Showed Hayden Struggling to Walk

One of the last videos featuring Hayden was filmed in New York in May as she promoted her memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning." The clip, shared by Elder Ordonez on Instagram, showed her walking during promotional events.

After her passing, the video was reposted with a message expressing sorrow over the footage and sending prayers to her family and friends. Many viewers focused on her walking.

One user commented, "She looked a bit unsteady on her feet🥺♥️." Another remarked, "She walked strangely at that moment; it seemed like something was off. 😢 Rip 🕊️" A third observer questioned, "Her walk looked like she was in pain, or is it just me?"

Others noted, "Did anyone notice her walking?" One more person stated, "Something was definitely wrong with her feet 😢" The Daily Mail also reported that the May footage depicted Hayden struggling to walk in New York, with her right leg visibly troubling her.

Later that day, she was seen relying on an assistant for support as they arrived at CBS Studios. She held the assistant’s hand tightly while smiling at onlookers, even as she struggled.

Hayden had expressed her concerns about what she described as nerve damage in her lower back in a May interview with Women’s Health. "I literally woke up and felt nothing but pins and needles from my waist down," she explained. "I couldn’t bend my toes or lift my foot at all. No one could provide a clear answer."

The uncertainty became so frightening that she found herself questioning if she would remain in that condition permanently. "It was like that for such a long time that I was sitting there thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, am I going to be paralyzed for the rest of my… life?’"

"This has been the scariest experience I’ve ever had physically, for sure." None of the health issues reported have been determined as contributing factors to Hayden’s death.

Another layer of complexity in her last months was not fully apparent to the public at the time. For years, the relationship between Hayden and Brian experienced frequent cycles of breakups and reconciliations.

Hayden and Brian’s Relationship Was More Complicated Than Believed

However, TMZ reported that the public perception of their relationship did not fully capture the reality. A source close to Brian revealed that the couple had not split as often as many believed and were actually together while Hayden was promoting her memoir prior to her death.

They maintained the relationship’s privacy to protect her career. Hayden’s team allegedly felt that Brian was "bad for business" during the promotion of "This Is Me: A Reckoning." According to TMZ, the couple’s complicated history was viewed as potentially harmful to book sales.

Thus, while Hayden and Brian reportedly remained romantically involved, they kept their relationship under wraps. The secrecy extended beyond simply avoiding public appearances together.

Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson are pictured together in 2023, as reports later revealed that the couple's relationship may have continued privately despite public reports of repeated breakups. — Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson are pictured together in 2023, as reports later revealed that the couple’s relationship may have continued privately despite public reports of repeated breakups.

TMZ revealed that the couple stayed in constant contact during Hayden’s promotional efforts, while their inner circle was aware of their ongoing relationship. During a May appearance, Hayden was asked about Brian, laughing off any marriage proposals.

Brian Faced Legal Issues Just Before Hayden’s Passing

Just three days prior to Hayden’s death, Brian encountered another legal hurdle. TMZ reported that a judge denied his application to downgrade his past felony domestic violence convictions to misdemeanors and to have them expunged.

Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson hold hands while walking together in 2019, accompanied by another woman. The couple's relationship later became complicated by Hickerson's legal troubles, with reports revealing they continued communicating despite periods when their romance appeared to have ended publicly. — Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson hold hands while walking together in 2019, accompanied by another woman. The couple’s relationship later became complicated by Hickerson’s legal troubles, with reports revealing they continued communicating despite periods when their romance appeared to have ended publicly.

This ruling occurred on August 13, just days before Hayden’s passing. Brian had pleaded no contest in April 2021 to two felony charges related to incidents involving Hayden from May 2019 to January 2020.

He had initially faced an eight-count criminal case. According to Page Six, Brian’s petition indicated that he had completed the terms of his probation.

He had served a 45-day county jail sentence, four years of formal probation, 52 mandatory domestic violence classes, and a five-year restraining order, ultimately serving 33 days after being credited for 12 days spent in custody.

Beneath the media narratives surrounding Hayden Panettiere’s final months lies a deeply personal story affecting Kaya, the daughter she shares with Wladimir.

Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson are seen together in Los Angeles in 2019, two years before his domestic violence case resulted in a 45-day jail sentence. Their turbulent relationship later became part of Hayden’s story of reclaiming her voice and healing from abuse.

For years, Hayden grappled with people recounting the story of why Kaya resides so far away. However, the late actress had increasingly begun to share her own perspective, revealing that the truth was more complex than merely ‘giving up’ her child.

From postpartum challenges that followed Kaya’s birth to the painful custody documents Hayden ended up signing, motherhood did not evolve in the way she had envisioned.

Today, her daughter is flourishing, speaking multiple languages, and shares a strong bond with both her mother and father. Hayden wished to ensure that Kaya would never misunderstand her mother’s story.

Kaya’s Birth Made Hayden Panettiere a Mother for the First Time.

Kaya was born on December 9, 2014, in Hawaii, weighing 7 lbs., 14 oz., and measuring 20 inches long.

"We are overjoyed and completely in love!" said the new parents at the time. Although Hayden largely kept her pregnancy private, her growing baby bump became increasingly hard to conceal. At the 2014 Emmys, she inadvertently revealed that she and Wladimir were expecting a girl while discussing preparations for the baby.

Panettiere welcomed daughter Kaya in December 2014 after previously saying she felt empowered by the idea of raising a strong woman. Years later, she would reveal how drastically her experience of motherhood diverged from those early expectations.

"I’m excited to have a girl first because I feel equipped to raise a strong woman," she mentioned in an interview with Hello! Magazine while discussing her impending motherhood. "I feel empowered myself and I believe my daughter will feel that way too," she added.

Hayden and Wladimir had announced their engagement in 2013, more than a year before Kaya’s arrival. The initial days of motherhood came with expected fatigue and some unforeseen challenges.

Hayden humorously reflected that she finally managed to get a full night’s sleep because Wladimir’s mother was eager to care for the newborn overnight.

Panettiere shares Kaya with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, who became the girl's primary caregiver while the actress sought help for her health and addiction struggles. Despite their split, Panettiere says she and Klitschko remained close and committed to speaking positively about each other to their daughter. — Panettiere shares Kaya with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, who became the girl’s primary caregiver while the actress sought help for her health and addiction struggles. Despite their split, Panettiere says she and Klitschko remained close and committed to speaking positively about each other to their daughter.

"Wlad’s mom couldn’t wait to take the baby for a night," Hayden recalled in her first-photo story with People about the new family. "She seemed tired, but I felt well-rested!"

Describing motherhood as "a surreal, out-of-body experience," Hayden expressed that she and Wladimir were learning to know their daughter, who had been growing inside her for months. However, recovery from childbirth proved to be quite difficult.

Panettiere has said she and Klitschko were still "best friends" and regularly communicated with Kaya together. Their cooperative relationship had helped the actress maintain what she called an "incredible" bond with her daughter across continents.

Hayden shared, "I’m limping around," noting that she was still trying to understand pregnancy’s impact on her body and which changes were temporary or permanent. She humorously remarked that she felt "like an 80-year-old trying to descend the stairs."

Kaya was characterized by her mother as a sweet and easy baby, albeit with an "insatiable appetite." Yet behind those tender early moments, Hayden was soon confronting a battle she had not anticipated.

Kaya's arrival initially brought Panettiere the excitement of first-time motherhood, but she later said she was unprepared for the postpartum depression that followed. She had spoken openly about how isolated and confused she felt during that period. — Kaya’s arrival initially brought Panettiere the excitement of first-time motherhood, but she later said she was unprepared for the postpartum depression that followed. She had spoken openly about how isolated and confused she felt during that period.

Years later, Hayden revealed she had suffered from postpartum depression after Kaya’s birth. She explained that part of what made the experience so daunting was her lack of awareness regarding postpartum depression.

"I wish I knew about postpartum depression. I wish I knew to look out for it," she shared with E! News in 2023 while reflecting on her experience. She initially thought something was seriously wrong with her and turned to alcohol for relief.

She recalled thinking, "Fireball will fix this—duh!" before realizing that any temporary relief ultimately exacerbated her issues. Isolation compounded her struggles. Since she didn’t recognize what she was going through, she believed she had to overcome it herself.

Panettiere's struggles after becoming a mother eventually included battles with alcohol and opioids, which she had discussed candidly in interviews. She later said getting healthy meant confronting the painful reality that Kaya had already built a stable life in Europe. — Panettiere’s struggles after becoming a mother eventually included battles with alcohol and opioids, which she had discussed candidly in interviews. She later said getting healthy meant confronting the painful reality that Kaya had already built a stable life in Europe.

Her battle with postpartum depression was something she had addressed publicly years before, but she later connected these emotional challenges to a broader struggle. Hayden openly discussed her difficulties with opioids and alcohol, which contributed to the circumstances that led to Kaya living primarily with her father.

The actress hoped new mothers would understand that an immediate and overwhelming attachment is not the only natural reaction to childbirth. She wanted someone to explain that it’s not unusual to initially see a newborn as a "crazy little being" that a parent would come to love more deeply over time.

Panettiere had pushed back strongly against the idea that she simply "gave up" her daughter, having called the custody decision one of the most painful experiences of her life. She had said she ultimately accepted the arrangement because she believed disrupting Kaya's established life would have been selfish. — Panettiere had pushed back strongly against the idea that she simply "gave up" her daughter, having called the custody decision one of the most painful experiences of her life. She had said she ultimately accepted the arrangement because she believed disrupting Kaya’s established life would have been selfish.

According to information from the Mayo Clinic on postpartum depression cited in E!’s report, symptoms can include severe mood swings and difficulty bonding with a baby. For Hayden, her experience extended beyond a personal health challenge; it ultimately altered the daily dynamics of her daughter’s upbringing.

Kaya Moved to Live with Her Father.

While Kaya was still quite young, she began living with Wladimir in Ukraine due to Hayden’s struggles. The circumstances surrounding this arrangement have become one of the most misinterpreted and emotionally loaded parts of the actress’ life.

During a September 2022 appearance on ‘Red Table Talk,’ Hayden addressed the perception that she and Wladimir had simply agreed it was best for Kaya to be with her father after their split in 2018. Her response was striking.

Panettiere and former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko welcomed their only child, Kaya, in December 2014. Years later, the actress said the painful changes to their family were never as simple as her choosing to walk away from motherhood.

"Initially, it wasn’t a discussion," she explained during the ‘Red Table Talk’ conversation about surrendering custody. Hayden clarified that had Wladimir approached her with a suggestion that Kaya stay with him temporarily due to her situation, she probably would have understood.

"Okay, I get that. I’ll come visit and things like that," she said, reflecting on how such a conversation might have unfolded. Instead, Hayden described the situation’s unfolding as "very upsetting." Then came the documents.

"Signing those papers was the most heart-wrenching thing I’ve ever had to do in my life," Hayden remembered.

She clarified that the documents granted Wladimir full custody. At that point, her focus was on her recovery, believing that once she was well, Kaya could return, allowing her more time with her daughter. "But that didn’t occur," she admitted.

Kaya was nearly three when this arrangement changed, with Hayden initially believing her daughter was simply visiting her father in Ukraine. "It wasn’t entirely my choice," Hayden said on ‘Red Table Talk,’ as recounted in People’s 2024 look at Kaya’s life and her connection with her mother. "In fact, I wasn’t even aware this was happening until she was already over there."

This detail elucidates why Hayden has strongly opposed the narrative suggesting she casually walked away from motherhood.

Hayden Later Expressed That She Felt ‘Guilt-Ridden’.

By May 2026, Hayden spoke more openly about her emotions during that period. At a panel associated with her memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning," she described the overwhelming guilt stemming from her inability to parent Kaya as she desired.

The actress admitted feeling "guilt-ridden" for being "completely incapable" of caring for her now-11-year-old daughter at that time, according to Page Six’s report on her emotional recollections.

She also recalled a particularly hurtful comment. "The most painful thing someone said to me was that it was a personal choice I was making," Hayden reflected. Her response underscored how impossible that characterization felt.

"Who would choose to feel like this? How could you even say that to me?" she questioned. Hayden considered Kaya a healthy, beautiful child who represented "everything to celebrate," making her inability to function as a mother all the more painful.

"And I’m completely incapable of doing it," she expressed. "I felt so guilty that I couldn’t manage it." Another incident that haunted her was when she spotted a magazine cover featuring her face alongside a headline questioning why she had ‘given up’ her daughter.

"That felt like being stabbed in the heart," she recalled. Hayden insisted that anyone who truly knew her would recognize that she would have done "anything" for Kaya. However, she believed that sometimes loving a child entails making decisions that do not fulfill the parent’s desires.

Panettiere spoke candidly about postpartum depression following Kaya's birth and the addiction struggles that later followed. She said there were periods when she felt "completely incapable" of being the parent she desperately wanted to be. — Panettiere spoke candidly about postpartum depression following Kaya’s birth and the addiction struggles that later followed. She said there were periods when she felt "completely incapable" of being the parent she desperately wanted to be.

"Sometimes that means not what you desire as a mother or what feels fulfilling as a parent, but what is best for them," she stated. Even the act of signing the custody documents remains a painful memory.

Hayden mentioned that her father was present while several others unexpectedly arrived to witness her signing the papers. She recalled sitting in a restaurant, gritting her teeth to suppress tears.

Then, she heard laughter from nearby diners. "I can’t believe they would watch someone enduring one of the most excruciating moments of their life," she thought.

The actress said signing over custody of Kaya was the "most heartbreaking thing" she had ever done. She later stressed that allowing her daughter to remain with Klitschko ultimately meant putting Kaya's stability ahead of what she herself wanted as a mother. — The actress said signing over custody of Kaya was the "most heartbreaking thing" she had ever done. She later stressed that allowing her daughter to remain with Klitschko ultimately meant putting Kaya’s stability ahead of what she herself wanted as a mother.

Afterward, Hayden locked herself in a bathroom, confronting "the reality of the situation." Her memoir revisits experiences from that incredibly challenging time in her life. However, Kaya’s story did not end with the custody arrangement. As Hayden began to recover, another factor emerged: her daughter had established her own life.

By the Time Hayden Recovered, Kaya Had Developed a Life She Did Not Want to Disrupt.

In May 2026, Hayden provided one of her most comprehensive explanations for why Kaya remained with her father in Ukraine even after the actress regained her health. Speaking on Jay Shetty’s "On Purpose" podcast, she emphasized that Kaya had spent significant time in Europe and had created strong roots there.

With family, friends, and various activities, Kaya was immersed in her environment, and in Hayden’s eyes, her daughter had built "a beautiful life."

By the time Hayden finally regained her health, she felt it would be unfair and selfish to uproot Kaya from her established life. Today, Hayden’s daughter has grown up in a multilingual setting.

By age 9, Kaya was already fluent in English, Russian, Ukrainian, and German, and was starting to learn French. "She’s a genius!" the proud mother exclaimed in 2024.

Hayden contrasted Kaya’s experience with language learning in the United States, noting that American children typically begin studying additional languages later in life, when they are less adept at absorbing them.

"But when they are babies and young, they sponge everything up," she stated. "You can teach them anything." Hayden humorously remarked that Kaya might not yet appreciate her language skills, but she continually reassured her daughter that one day she would.

Kaya’s passion for horses is another notable interest, which Hayden believes may run in the family. "I have equestrian skills in my genes," she remarked, mentioning that her great-uncle once won the Kentucky Derby.

She also shared a comical moment involving Kaya, who was seen watching ‘Racing Stripes,’ a film she enjoys rewatching. In the clip, Kaya sat on a toy hippo, pretending to race it with such enthusiasm that Hayden joked she feared for the toy’s ears.

Kaya is also a proficient swimmer and loves being in the water, a trait that Hayden recognized in herself. "She’s just like me," the actress mentioned, recalling how much time she spent in the pool during her pregnancy with Kaya while working on ‘Nashville.’ "And she emerged loving water," Hayden shared.

By 2026, Hayden revealed that Kaya was not just interested in horses but was actively riding them. Yet the detail that perhaps caught listeners off guard was Hayden’s praise for her daughter’s emotional maturity.

Hayden Had Stated That Her Daughter is ‘Happy,’ ‘Solid,’ and Aware of Her Love.

At 11 years old, Kaya has been living an "incredible life," according to her mother. "She’s an amazing little girl," Hayden shared with Jay. The actress emphasized the support system surrounding Kaya and believed her daughter knew she was loved by both parents.

"I know in my heart she feels supported, and our physical separation hasn’t damaged our relationship," Hayden stated. "I have a wonderful connection with her." Hayden made it a priority to visit Kaya as often as possible and spent considerable time talking to her through FaceTime.

Their conversations weren’t limited to quick check-ins. "We discuss really deep topics," Hayden revealed. She characterized their relationship as a "deeply intense and incredible" bond.

The actress also paid close attention to ensuring Kaya never perceived her childhood circumstances as abandonment. "She in no way feels abandoned," Hayden clarified, explaining that she had been actively mindful of this.

For Hayden, parenting Kaya from a distance was about leading by example. Her daughter was born to two prominent parents pursuing very different careers on separate continents, and it appears Kaya enjoys witnessing both of their successes.

"She’s our biggest supporter," Hayden noted. The actress believed that seeing her parents achieve their goals might inspire Kaya to believe in her own potential.

Hayden was also struck by how Kaya carries herself. The actress described her daughter as "good" and "solid," highlighting that Kaya’s ability to love herself provides powerful reassurance that she feels cherished.

Panettiere and Klitschko became parents to Kaya in December 2014, more than a year after announcing their engagement. Their relationship later ended, but Panettiere said the two remained extremely close and worked together to make sure Kaya felt supported by both parents.

Hayden Aimed to Address a Misunderstanding

This narrative stands in stark contrast to perceptions created by years of headlines alleging that Hayden simply ‘gave up’ her daughter. She addressed this directly during her podcast discussion with Jay in May. "There’s been a common misconception that I just relinquished my child," she stated. "That couldn’t be further from the reality."

She wished her podcast dialogue, along with the comprehensive account in her memoir, would finally illuminate the circumstances for people while acknowledging that the outcome still involves grief.

Jay referenced a section of Hayden’s memoir discussing her grief over the mother she envisioned being. The actress admitted that grief had often overwhelmed her. Initially, she described it as pure grief, but over time, the emotion evolved.

Because of her bond with Kaya and how events unfolded, Hayden shared that she now felt a mix of profound gratitude and pain. She acknowledged that Kaya has "an incredible father" and "wonderful family."

Although the reality of motherhood was not what she had once hoped for, she felt fortunate that Kaya is safe, well-adjusted, and deeply connected to her. That bond had once been a source of her greatest worries.

When Kaya was taken away, Hayden feared she might have to struggle to maintain any connection with her daughter. However, she later reflected that the outcome became "a blessing in many ways." That doesn’t mean she didn’t long for more. "I always wish she were here," Hayden expressed. "I always miss her." "But that’s just not how life is at the moment," she recognized.

Although Panettiere and Klitschko ultimately built separate lives, their daughter remained the strongest link between them. Panettiere said they were still "best friends" and had promised never to speak negatively about one another to Kaya.

Hayden’s thoughts also extended well beyond Kaya’s childhood. She believes that one day her daughter will become an adult who can choose where to live and how to shape her life, and the actress is optimistic about that future.

Hayden trusts that Kaya will come to her and that they will share an extraordinary relationship and friendship that many parents may never experience with their adult children.

Kaya’s Parents Remain Close Despite the Split.

One aspect that seems to have eased the unconventional arrangement was Hayden’s relationship with Wladimir. "Wlad and I maintain a close bond," she noted in 2026. Though no longer a couple, she mentioned that they all communicated regularly.

This sometimes included a three-way FaceTime call with Hayden, Kaya, and Wladimir, whom Hayden described as "incredibly supportive." She shared that he had brought Kaya to the U.S., allowing their daughter to connect with Hayden’s family.

Kaya was fortunate enough to know her great-grandparents before Hayden’s "grandpy" and "papa" passed away. "That was incredibly important to me," the actress stated. Kaya still has Hayden’s grandmother and nana in her life and affectionately calls one of them "Super Nana."

Panettiere said she and Klitschko remained "best friends" after their romantic relationship ended and shared tremendous respect for one another. That bond helped them stay united in raising Kaya despite living on different continents.

Regarding Wladimir, Hayden emphasized that they are more than just cooperative co-parents. "Wlad and I remain best friends," she expressed. She felt that few people know her as well as he does.

Hayden mentioned that they continue to harbor profound affection for one another and, most significantly for Kaya, mutual respect. This respect has fostered a specific parenting principle. Hayden noted that her own childhood significantly influenced a pivotal choice she and Wladimir made after their romantic relationship ended.

"Growing up, I heard my mother often speak negatively about my father. That constant negativity hurt," Hayden explained. As a result, she and Wladimir pledged never to speak ill of one another in front of Kaya.

Panettiere and Klitschko's relationship eventually changed, but their connection as Kaya's parents endured. She later said they remained close, respected one another deeply, and worked to keep their daughter's relationship with both parents strong. — Panettiere and Klitschko’s relationship eventually changed, but their connection as Kaya’s parents endured. She later said they remained close, respected one another deeply, and worked to keep their daughter’s relationship with both parents strong.

Hayden asserted that they have upheld that promise, ensuring they speak positively about each other to their daughter. Moreover, she took care to ensure that Kaya remains respectful and affectionate towards her father.

She also emphasized how highly she regards Wladimir, whom she referred to as a "hero" and "one of the bravest individuals" she knows. According to Hayden, "Kaya loves us both immensely."

This united front is crucial, especially since the actress knows that her daughter may eventually encounter a more complicated version of their family narrative. In fact, parts of that story are now included in Hayden’s own memoir, where she also addresses a poignant concern.

Hayden Did Not Want Kaya to Misinterpret Her Story.

Hayden published "This Is Me: A Reckoning" on May 19, 2026. The memoir delves into her deeply personal journey, covering her rise to fame, romantic relationships, the death of her younger brother Jansen, the challenges she faced in Hollywood, and the painful context surrounding Kaya living primarily with her father.

At a Los Angeles event promoting the book, Hayden was asked what she hoped Kaya would understand when she eventually read it. "I want her to know that none of this was her fault," Hayden expressed in a report by People.

"I love her so much," she continued. Hayden acknowledged that the complex story within the book presents a lot for an 11-year-old to digest. Nevertheless, she aimed to protect Kaya from it for now.

Hayden further articulated that she was grappling with her mental health and substance misuse during that period, and had lost her sense of self. She also refuted another myth—that she had been forced into treatment. In reality, she stated that she was the one reaching out for help.

Hayden described herself as a "mother lion" who would have "gone to great lengths for my child." Yet, Wladimir believed that Kaya should remain in Europe while Hayden sought treatment for her alcohol and substance problems. "That was incredibly challenging," the late mother confessed.

The emotional complexity of not having her child with her every day was indescribable: "You can’t articulate it precisely."