GREENVILLE, SC. (THECOUNT) — Hayden Panettiere spoke candidly about her only child and the difficult decision to have her daughter, Kaya Klitschko, live with her father, former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko, in what became one of the most painful chapters of the actress’ life.
Panettiere’s comments were published in a July interview with parenting magazine Momé, just weeks before the actress was found dead Sunday at a South Carolina residence at age 36.
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The interview offered a deeply personal look at Panettiere’s relationship with Kaya, who was born in December 2014. Panettiere described the birth as traumatic, saying she nearly died while delivering her daughter, who is now 11.
According to Panettiere, she required seven blood transfusions and underwent approximately three hours of surgery following Kaya’s birth.
Panettiere said the physical ordeal was followed by a severe struggle with postpartum depression. She recalled feeling ashamed that she did not immediately experience the overwhelming rush of maternal love she had heard other mothers describe.
As her depression continued, Panettiere said she turned to alcohol to cope with the emotional pain. Her drinking eventually developed into a dependency that required professional treatment.
It was during that period that Kaya began living primarily with Klitschko in Europe in 2018.
Panettiere later explained that the circumstances surrounding Kaya’s move were more complicated than she initially understood. Kaya was about 3 years old at the time, and Panettiere said she did not know the move would become permanent. She said she did not realize what was happening until Kaya was already there.
Panettiere ultimately agreed that Kaya should remain primarily with her father while she sought treatment, describing the decision as the hardest of her life. She said she never wanted to give up custody but believed she needed to get help so she could eventually become the mother her daughter deserved.
The custody arrangement placed Kaya in the care of her father, Klitschko, the Ukrainian-born former heavyweight boxing champion whom Panettiere dated for several years. The couple became engaged before eventually separating.
Despite the physical distance between mother and daughter, Panettiere said their relationship remained strong.
She described Kaya as her “mini me” and said the two communicated frequently. Panettiere also expressed pride in the young woman her daughter was becoming.
“I love my daughter, and I’m so proud of the young woman she is becoming,” Panettiere said in the interview, while expressing hope that Kaya would eventually understand why her mother could not always be physically present during her childhood.
Panettiere said her decision to step back was ultimately made with Kaya’s best interests in mind. She acknowledged that the separation was painful but said she needed to prioritize recovery and stability.
The actress also spoke openly about continuing to work on herself, describing her recovery as an ongoing process rather than something that had a simple endpoint.
“I’m a work in progress — we all are,” Panettiere said. “I take each day as it comes. I’m doing the work, and I’m doing my best.”
Panettiere’s remarks have taken on added significance following her death Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina.
According to law enforcement sources, a friend called 911 at approximately 1:51 p.m. to report that Panettiere was unresponsive and in cardiac arrest inside a residence.
Greenville police and emergency medical personnel responded, and paramedics attempted to revive the actress using CPR and advanced cardiac life-support measures. She was pronounced dead at approximately 2:32 p.m.
Dispatch audio obtained by TMZ included a reference to a possible overdose, but an official cause of death has not been established.
Authorities said there were no initial signs of foul play and that the death did not appear suspicious. The Greenville County coroner is conducting an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.
Panettiere began her acting career as a child and became internationally known for roles including Claire Bennet on “Heroes” and Juliette Barnes on “Nashville.” Her film credits included “Remember the Titans,” “Raising Helen,” “Ice Princess” and “Scream 4.”
Her death leaves Kaya as her only child. Panettiere’s final interview provided a glimpse into how deeply she cared for her daughter and how she viewed the decision that separated them for much of Kaya’s childhood.
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