Your former partner Wladimir Klitschko posts a heartfelt tribute after the death of actress Hayden Panettiere.
Former world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko shared a long‑handed post on X, quoting the actor’s talent and the “mighty bond” he shared with his daughter Kaya. He said the family is “going through profound shock and grief” after the actress’s untimely passing at age 36.
Panettiere died in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday. Police reported a “cardiac arrest” at the scene and could not find any offense or accident evidence. One coroner’s report noted no trauma, but the exact cause of death remains unconfirmed.
The actress, known for her roles in "Heroes", "Nashville", and a successful child star career, often spoke about the darker side of the entertainment industry. In a recent memoir, she described the pain of separation from her daughter and the call for more honest parenting.
Tributes poured in from the industry. Connie Britton posted on Instagram, captioning a photo with “Bursting with brilliance, shining so bright.” Masi Oka tweeted, “She was way wiser beyond her years and now gone too soon… Rest in peace.” Meanwhile, actor Justin Chatwin has said that Panettiere was dealing with personal struggles on the set of the 2025 film "Sleepwalker".
The couple met in a Los Angeles party in 2009, dated for several years, and welcomed a daughter in 2014. While never married, Klitschko said he would always speak of her mother‑figure role for Kaya with respect and hope that her legacy would continue.
“She left this world far too soon… nothing will erase the times we shared.”
The Hollywood community has rallied to honor her memory, recalling her brilliance and energy. As her friends highlighted, “She was the most brilliant child actor he had ever seen.”
