Heath Ledger’s daughter, Matilda Ledger, is reportedly planning an extended vacation to Australia so she can meet her late father’s family before heading off to university.
Matilda, 17, whose mother is Oscar-nominated actress Michelle Williams, grew up in the United States after Heath died of an accidental prescription drug overdose in 2008.
Heath’s parents, who live in Western Australia, have said in the past that they would like to see more of Matilda, whom they affectionately call their ‘little New Yorker’.
But as the teenager will soon finish high school, she is said to be planning a gap year Down Under to “understand the other side of her heritage”, she reports. New Idea.
‘She is looking forward to taking a gap year and going to Australia. She wants to see and spend time with Heath’s family before she gets down to serious college business in America,” a source said.
The magazine reports that Matilda wants to visit Heath’s family in Perth, but his mother, Michelle, 42, has some reservations because “it’s so far away”.
Heath Ledger’s daughter, Matilda Ledger, is reportedly planning an extended vacation to Australia so she can meet her late father’s family before heading off to university. (She is pictured in New York City on Sunday)
“Matilda understands her mother’s concerns, but she has a deep need to understand the other side of her heritage,” the source added.
Meanwhile, Heath’s family is said to be “very excited” by the news of their granddaughter’s proposed extended trip.
The Ledgers reportedly signed over all of Heath’s assets, worth an estimated $16.3 million, to Matilda upon his death in 2008.
Matilda, 17, whose mother is Oscar-nominated actress Michelle Williams, grew up in the United States after Heath (pictured) died of an accidental prescription drug overdose in 2008.
Sally, Heath’s mother, told Us Weekly in 2018. “Let’s see [Matilda] in New York next week. So we’ll be there for a few days and see how it’s grown.
“We keep in constant contact with Michelle and Matilda and visit them frequently.”
The actor’s sister, Kate, also said: “I love telling [Matilda] stories about her dad and how she grew up. I think it’s very important for her to have a good idea of where she comes from so she can get to know herself.’
MailOnline has contacted Michelle’s representatives for comment, in relation to this story.
Meanwhile, Heath’s family is said to be “very excited” at the news and is believed to be close to both Michelle and Matilda. Heath’s family reportedly transferred all of Heath’s assets, and a fortune of US$16.3 million, to Matilda following her tragic death in 2008.
The Dark Knight actor has died at the age of 28 after taking a fatal drug cocktail, leaving behind his daughter Matilda, who was two years old at the time.
Heath’s only daughter, 17, has rarely been seen over the years as her mother, Dawson’s Creek star Michelle, 42, wanted to “keep things real” so her daughter grow up
The student was spotted out and about in New York on Sunday, and Matilda now bears a striking resemblance to her late father.
The Dark Knight actor has died at the age of 28 after taking a fatal drug cocktail, leaving behind his daughter Matilda, who was two years old at the time.
Michelle, who was in a relationship with Heath from 2004 to 2007 after they met on Brokeback Mountain in 2005, decided to move Matilda out of the limelight.
Blue Valentine star Michelle took a break from the limelight and moved upstate New York with Matilda after Heath’s tragic death.
The student was spotted out and about in New York on Sunday, and Matilda now bears a striking resemblance to her late father.
Michelle, who was in a relationship with Heath from 2004 to 2007 after they met on Brokeback Mountain in 2005, decided to move Matilda out of the limelight.
Michelle raised her daughter away from the bustle of the city center when they moved to a country cottage for six years.
He previously said the move was due to his desire to provide “a healthy home environment” for his daughter.
She told the New York Post in June 2016: “We moved, left Brooklyn, and lived in the country for six years because it was an intolerable state of existence.”
Years later, Michelle made the decision to return to the city and bought a property in Brooklyn, where she lived before the move.
Prior to their time on the field, Michelle and Heath had previously shared a $3.6 million townhouse in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.
Heath said of Brooklyn in 2006: ‘I like everything about Brooklyn. I love it.’
Michelle, who is now married to theater director Thomas Kail, previously spoke about wanting to give Matilda siblings in an interview with GQ in 2012.
She said: ‘I really wanted, and really hoped or imagined, that Matilda would have siblings her own age. I wanted that for her. But I couldn’t make that happen.
‘And now that he is 6 years old, that is no longer a possibility. So something that made me impatient, that’s been removed. For some reason, that’s not our luck, or our way.’
However, eight years later, the actress found her happy ending with Thomas and the couple tied the knot in 2020.
Later that same year they had a baby boy and a second child together in 2022.
Michelle, who is now married to theater director Thomas Kail, previously spoke about wanting to give Matilda siblings in an interview with GQ in 2012.