Hayden Panettiere gave a moving insight into her relationship with her daughter Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, 11, just months before her death at the age of 36.
The Heroes actress died on Sunday – just a week before her 37th birthday – with an autopsy showing ‘no signs of trauma’, although her official cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
She shared her daughter with her ex Wladimir Klitschko, 50, and in 2018, when Kaya was just three, she signed over full custody to her ex, who moved their daughter to his native Ukraine amid Hayden’s battle with postpartum depression.
In May, while appearing on CBS Mornings, the actress gave a rare insight into their relationship — as she revealed during one of their frequent FaceTime calls, Kaya called her Britney in a nod to her character in the 2007 film Bring It On: All or Nothing.
The late star said Kaya’s friends “think she’s cool” because the film had something of a Gen Z renaissance, before adding, “I’m so blessed to have a great relationship with her.” I fly there as much as possible. I’m on FaceTime with her all the time.”
Hayden Panettiere gave a moving insight into her relationship with her daughter Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, 11, just months before her death at the age of 36
She revealed that her daughter started calling her “Britney,” a nod to her character Britney Allen in 2007’s Bring It On: In It to Win It
A friend of the late actress said she was planning a trip to visit her daughter in Ukraine shortly before her tragic death.
Her hairstylist Erick Orellana told Page Six, “She was talking about wanting to go on vacation and going to see her daughter. Her daughter was always her absolute priority. She loved her so much…
‘Her daughter was the absolute light of her life. She beamed every time she talked about her. Everything she did revolved around her’.
He recalled how she “loved spending time with Kaya” and would always show pictures and tell stories about her daughter.
In her last interview in May, Hayden spoke with Dear Mome on her choice to give up custody: “It wasn’t a decision I made lightly, nor was it a decision I even wanted to make. I was going through a very challenging time in my life.”
She told Jay Shetty on his On Purpose podcast in May, “I’ve been the one looking for it and saying, ‘I desperately need help.’ I know this is going to look terrible, but it is. I can’t live like this anymore…
The Heroes actress died on Sunday – just a week before her 37th birthday – with an autopsy showing ‘no signs of trauma’, although her official cause of death has yet to be confirmed (pictured with Kaya and ex Wladimir Klitschko)
Tragically, she stated that she “felt nothing” during her battle with depression
“The idea that anyone would think I would just give my child away and be okay with it is heartbreaking. It couldn’t be further from the truth…
“It became a horrible cycle of years of battling depression, anxiety, alcoholism and substance abuse, all while trying to find my way back.”
After her tragic death on Sunday, Kaya’s father Wladimir spoke out on Tuesday.
He shared a sweet photo of the family in happier times on Instagram and wrote a caption: ‘Our family is going through a time of deep shock and sadness…
“The announcement of Hayden’s tragic death saddens me deeply. She left this world far too soon. Hayden, although no longer my partner, was an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya…
The highly publicized decision came after she fell into a deep depression – which she said she “felt nothing” – and led to her “turning to wine” and eventually being sent to rehab for both depression and substance abuse.
‘She built an incredible career through tremendous talent, while also facing the dark sides of a very demanding industry. Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives…
‘To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was…’
“I extend my deepest condolences to Hayden’s parents, her friends and her fans, who are also grieving today. Young and talented people like Hayden should not leave this world so quickly…
“I ask everyone to respect our family’s feelings and privacy at this incredibly difficult time. For now this is all I want to say…
‘Thank you to everyone who has supported my family and expressed their sincere condolences. Rest in peace, Hayden. May you find eternal peace.”
Hayden and Wladimir met at a book launch in 2009. After two years of dating, they split in 2011, before rekindling their relationship two years later.
