Had she been alive, Hayden Panettiere would have been 37 today. The actress tragically passed away on Sunday, August 16, at her residence in Greenville, South Carolina, sending a shockwave of heartbreak through the entertainment world.
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But her death also resonated deeply in the world of boxing, where Panettiere had close ties. It was through her courtship and subsequent engagement to Wladimir Klitschko that the late actress became a familiar face across the sport. For the former heavyweight champion, the pain runs deeper, given he had a daughter with Panettiere. While he mourned her passing with the rest of the world, for Klitschko, the emptiness was particularly heavy, as his late ex-wife’s birthday arrived on Friday.
“Today is Hayden’s birthday,” Klitschko wrote in an Instagram post. “Instead of celebrating the way we had planned, today we celebrate her life, her spirit, and the love she brought into this world. I want to thank all of Hayden’s fans, friends, and everyone who has reached out for the incredible outpouring of love and support.
“At a time filled with so much sadness, your kindness has reminded me that there is still so much good in humanity. If you’re reading this, I ask just one thing: even if only for a moment, think about LOVE. Reach out to a friend. Forgive someone. Be kind. Love is a superpower. Use it.
“Happy Birthday, Hayden. ❤️ You are loved, you are missed, and you will never be forgotten.”
Reportedly, the pair met when Klitschko ruled the heavyweight division. Their story began at a book launch party for mutual friend Diana Jenkins in 2009. Panettiere had revealed during an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show that the first conversation they had began with her exclaiming, “You’re huge!” To that, Klitschko, who is 6’6, leaned down to her 5’2 self, to say, “You’re tiny.” It was a year after that they reportedly started dating, and she was seen ringside as Klitschko defended his unified titles from Samuel Peter.
Unfortunately, citing the stress of a long-distance relationship, the couple decided to part ways in 2011. The separation was amicable, and Klitschko and Panettiere remained friends. But the boxing legend and the actress could not stay apart for long.
In April 2013, they were reportedly back together. A few months later, they announced their engagement, followed by the birth of their only child, daughter Kaya, in December 2014. The relationship continued until 2018, when Panettiere’s mother revealed that the couple had again separated, with the boxing champion having full custody of their daughter.
Even so, as they did previously, now by sharing a child, Klitschko and Panettiere remained friends while raising Kaya. By that time, Klitschko had retired following two back-to-back defeats to Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Later reports, meanwhile, suggested Panettiere saw other individuals. At no point, however, did their relationship turn sour.
Hayden Panettiere: A life mourned by Wladimir Klitschko, family and fans
Considering those years of closeness and their love for their daughter, it is understandable why Wladimir Klitschko felt the loss so deeply, even though he and Hayden were no longer together.
After he learned about the actress’ passing on August 16, Klitschko shared an emotional message on Instagram, an excerpt of which read:
“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.”
A report from Page Six revealed that, prior to her passing, Panettiere was planning to visit Germany to see her daughter, who is now 11, during the week of her birthday.
The latest reports surrounding her death reveal that, on the day she died, medics responded to a 911 call for a reported cardiac arrest. After arriving, responders tried to revive Panettiere but were unsuccessful, pronouncing her dead.
The Greenville police department subsequently revealed that they did not observe foul play or suspicious activity related to the actress’ death. The coroner’s office, however, confirmed that the cause and manner of her death were still under investigation.
Panettiere began her career as a child actor. Besides acting in movies like Remember the Titans and the horror franchise Scream, she gained considerable popularity through her role as Claire Bennet in Heroes, NBC’s superhero drama series. A talented singer, Panettiere also received a Grammy nomination for Pixar’s A Bug’s Life.
Her death came three years after her brother Jansen passed away due to heart-related complications at 28. Hayden Panettiere will be deeply missed by her loved ones and scores of fans around the world.