Unexpected way Hayden Panettiere and Wladimir Klitschko met as he speaks out after her death
Following the tragic death of Heroes star Hayden Panettiere, fans have been looking back on her life and relationship with boxer Wladimir Klitschko.
Her passing was sadly confirmed on Sunday, August 16, by her devastated dad Skip.
He told ABC News: "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her - and to the millions who watched her onscreen."
She was reportedly found unresponsive at a luxury apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, and 911 dispatch audio referred to an 'overdose' and 'cardiac arrest'.
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Her former fiancée, Klitscho paid tribute to the Bring It On icon, who he shared an 11-year-old daughter with, called Kaya.
The couple were reported to have met at a book launch party hosted by a mutual friend back in 2009.
However, they wouldn't become a couple for another year, when Panettiere took the leap and approached him.
She joked with Ellen DeGeneres on her chat show about how it happened: "I know that I'm small, but he's large! That's how we met", she joked.
Miming craning her neck to look at him, she said "you're huge!" and mimicked him leaning down to her, saying "You're tiny."
Long distance saw the pair split in 2011, as Klitschko spent a lot of time in Ukraine.
They soon rekindled two years later, before getting engaged in October 2013.
Panettiere then welcomed their daughter Kaya in December 2014.
They later split once more for good in 2018, and Panettiere signed over full custody of Kaya to Klitschko while she tried to recover from post-partum depression and addiction.
Tribute
Klitschko joined the outpouring of tributes to Panettiere, and wrote: "Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief," he wrote. "The announcement of Hayden’s tragic death saddens me deeply.
"She left this world far too soon. Hayden was, although no longer my partner, an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya.
"She built an incredible career through immense talent, while also facing the darker sides of a very demanding industry. Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives."
The boxer promised: "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 soon.
"I ask everyone to please respect our family’s feelings and privacy during this incredibly difficult time. For now, this is all I wish to say."
Klitschko finished by adding: "Thank you to everyone who is supporting my family and expressing their sincere condolences.
"Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace. #WeLoveYouHayden."
Stars share tributes to Hayden Panettiere
Viola Davis
Davis, who starred alongside Panettiere in the likes of The Architect (2006) and Custody (2016), penned: “What an amazing talent you were....so gifted. Julius and I loved working with you....an old, wise soul with such a deep heart. I wish the world had more time with you because I had a burning curiosity about who you were becoming.
“I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes. Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy. You will be remembered. Rest well, Hayden.
“Sending healing prayers to your family, your daughter, and all who loved you. May they always speak your name....”
Bethany Joy Lenz
In an emotional tribute, Panettiere’s Guiding Light co-star Joy Lenz wrote: “There is nothing that posting pictures on the internet can do. I avoid it usually in moments like this. But Im here with my head in my hands and I don’t know what else to do in aside from praying for her soul, which I have done and will continue.”
Admitting she's 'crushed', the actress continued: “I knew the wild little blonde. Was she nine? Ten? I was eighteen. She ran through the Screen Gem studio hallways at 222 E44th St. laughing and playing games in between Guiding Light blocking and camera rehearsals. Long, unruly curls trailing behind her. She knew her lines and everyone else’s. Her intelligence was astonishing. She understood scenes and nuance and human struggle like no child I’d ever seen on camera. And she’d sit with you for a great conversation, then giggle and go play.
“We’d connect on and off over the years, like the cousin in the family reunion who got famous and life moved her away—but I always felt such joy seeing her when we were lucky enough to cross paths. We’d make a pact to talk soon. Lunch. Dinner. Somewhere we could curl up into a corner—but we never quite made it happen. I mostly stayed up to date through mutual friends.
“I dont understand how this is real. Everything seemed to be turning around. She was coming BACK to life, wasn’t she? It’s too young and there’s still so much more life. And her daughter…. Hayden, you are surround by love. I’m sorry for every moment I didn’t reach out or check in. This can’t be real.”
Joy Lenz concluded: “These are moments of how I knew you, in glimpses over 26 years. I don’t know how to process this. I am praying for you to know the peace of God now and always.”
Selma Blair
Commenting underneath Panettiere’s final Instagram post, Blair said: “I love you. Don't be gone. Please.”
Emma Roberts
Paying tribute to her Scream 4 (2011) co-star, Roberts penned: “Rest in peace my sweet friend. you are so loved and you will be forever missed.”
Kim Cattrall
“Rest in peace sweet Hayden,” Cattrall, who starred as Panettiere’s onscreen mum in Ice Princess (2005), shared. “Gone far too soon.”
Masi Oka
In a heartfelt message to his Heroes co-star, Oka wrote on X: “Absolutely heartbroken to hear about Hayden. I had the privilege of working closely with her, and I’ll always remember her for her beautiful spirit, immense talent, and the joyful energy she brought to everything she did and the people around her. She was way wiser beyond her years and now gone too soon…
“My heart goes out to her family and everyone who loved her. Rest in peace, Hayden.”
Jenna Ortega
Taking to her Instagram Story, Ortega - who worked with Panettiere on Scream VI (2023) - said: “This is such a devastating loss. Rest well.”
Melissa Barrera
Fellow Scream VI star Barrera also paid tribute, saying: “Rest in peace sweet Hayden,” along with a broken heart emoji.
Jay Shetty
Shetty, who welcomed Panettiere on his On Purpose podcast just months ago, commented: “I can’t believe it. Our friendship had just begun and I was so moved by the conversation we shared earlier this year.
"My love and condolences to her family and fans.”
Topics: Sex and Relationships, Celebrity, Entertainment
Jen Thomas