Wladimir Klitschko breaks silence after death of ex Hayden Panettiere as boxing champ issues statement
Retired heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko has spoken publicly for the first time about the death of his former fiancée Hayden Panettiere, revealing that his family is enduring “profound shock and grief.”
The American actress, celebrated for her performances in Heroes and Nashville, died on Sunday, August 16, at the age of 36, just seven days shy of her 37th birthday.
Ms Panettiere was discovered unresponsive at a property in Greenville, South Carolina, having suffered cardiac arrest.
An autopsy has been carried out, with results indicating there were “no signs of trauma,” though the official cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Hayden Panettiere died at the age of 36 | GETTYMr Klitschko, 50, shared his tribute on social media on Tuesday morning alongside a photograph of the family from happier times.
In his statement, the Ukrainian former world champion described Ms Panettiere as someone who remained “an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya,” despite their romantic relationship having ended years ago.
He acknowledged her remarkable talent while recognising the challenges she faced, writing: “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.”
Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief.
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… pic.twitter.com/etL169NOmB
— Klitschko (@Klitschko) August 18, 2026
Addressing his commitment to their daughter directly, Mr Klitschko pledged: “To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was.
“He offered condolences to Ms Panettiere’s parents, friends and fans, and appealed for privacy, concluding: “Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace.”
The pair first crossed paths at a book launch in 2009 and began a relationship that would span a decade, albeit with interruptions.
They separated in 2011 before reuniting two years later, and became engaged in October 2013. Their daughter Kaya arrived in December 2014.
Hayden Panettiere died on Sunday, August 16, a week before her 37th birthday
|
GETTY
By 2018, the couple had parted ways again, though reportedly on friendly terms.
That same year, Ms Panettiere took what she described as a “difficult decision” to grant Mr Klitschko full custody of Kaya, who was then three years old.
The child subsequently relocated to her father’s homeland of Ukraine.
The custody arrangement followed a period of severe personal struggle for Ms Panettiere, who spoke openly about falling into deep depression, which she said left her feeling “nothing” and led to alcohol dependency and substance abuse, ultimately resulting in rehabilitation.
Hayden Panettiere, known for roles in the Scream franchise and Heroes, died on Sunday night | REUTERS
In one of her final interviews, given in May, Ms Panettiere reflected candidly on the custody decision.
Speaking to the Momé, she said: “It wasn’t a decision I made lightly, nor was it a decision I even wanted to make. I was going through a really challenging time in my life.”
She also expressed deep pride in her daughter, describing Kaya as “like a mini-me” and insisting she stayed in regular contact with her.
Ms Panettiere’s career began in childhood with soap opera appearances and voice work, including the role of Dot in A Bug’s Life.
She rose to prominence as cheerleader Claire Bennet in Heroes and later earned two Golden Globe nominations for her portrayal of country singer Juliette Barnes across six seasons of Nashville.
Comments are closed.