"She left this world far too soon": Wladimir Klitschko's moving tribute to Hayden Panettiere, his former partner and mother of his daughter

Shocked by the sudden death of Hayden Panetierre, former boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko spoke out to pay tribute to the memory of his former partner and mother of his daughter, Kaya.

Following the tragic death of actress Hayden Panettiere, her former partner and the father of her daughter, Wladimir Klitschko, expressed his profound sadness on social media this Tuesday, August 18. The former Ukrainian boxer posted a family photo from several years ago, accompanied by a lengthy tribute to the American actress who passed away at only 36 years old.

"She left this world far too soon. Hayden, even though she was no longer my partner, was an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya," he explains, adding that his former partner had managed to "build an incredible career thanks to her immense talent, while facing the darker aspects of a very demanding industry."

Wladimir Klitschko also recalled that despite the difficulties of the past, "nothing will erase the moments that (they) shared nor the place that (Hayden Panetierre) occupied in (their) lives," that he will "always speak of her to (his) daughter Kaya with respect," and that he will do everything possible to ensure "that she remembers the person she truly was."

Chargement du contenu Instagram...

Chargement du contenu Instagram...

“Young talents like Hayden shouldn’t leave this world so soon. I ask everyone to respect our family’s feelings and privacy during this incredibly difficult time. For now, that’s all I want to say. Thank you to everyone who is supporting my family and expressing their sincere condolences. Rest in peace, Hayden. May you find eternal peace,” he concluded.

Depression and separation

Hayden Panettiere and Wladimir Klitschko were a couple from 2009 to 2011, before separating and getting back together two years later. The actress and the athlete, thirteen years her senior, then announced their engagement and became parents to little Kaya, born on December 9, 2014. After giving birth, however, the star suffered from severe postpartum depression. "It took me months to understand what it was," she told The Times, describing years of "total emotional emptiness."

After her final separation from the father of her daughter, Hayden Panettiere began a tumultuous relationship with Brian Hickerson in 2018. A chaotic life together marked by numerous domestic violence incidents.