Heath's Family Says Goodbye
Filed under: Australiastic > Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger's family is publicly sharing their grief.
The actor's parents and sisters each wrote touching tributes in the Friday edition of the West Australian newspaper.
Here's what they said.
His father, Kim, wrote:
"'Heatho,' 'Beef,' . . . my beautiful boy, so loving, so talented, so independent, so caring, so young . . . no more chess games mate . . . this is it, couldn't beat you anyway!
My body aches for the sound of your voice, our chats, our laughs and our life and times together."
Your truly varied artistic skills, insatiable desire to improve and eclectic abilities set you apart from any other person on the planet . . . it had only just started for you … and for us to further enjoy. We were one, in soul and commitment. Just . . . Father and Son. I will love you forever, Dad."
His mother, Sally, wrote:
"Our darling boy, special in so many ways to all of us. You knew you were so loved. You lived life with courage and daring and we are so grateful for the wonderful times we shared. We will be there for Matilda. Your loving Mamma, Rog and Ash."
His older sister, Katie, wrote:
"I can hardly breathe when I try to write this. We were the ultimate in soul mates. I feel both my heart and life have been torn apart. I loved our special talks, our daily chats from where ever you were in the world.
I especially loved all the precious time we spent together. We were so fortunate to have you as long as we did. You were so many things to so many people, but to me you were just my little brother.
There will never, ever be another "Heath" and I think that in itself is the greatest tragedy.
I will continue to talk with you everyday and love you just as if you were here. You will never leave my thoughts "Roast", ever."
His younger sister, Olivia, wrote:
"You're my idol, my hero, but most importantly, my loving big brother. I'll treasure every moment we spent together. I love you Heath, I miss you and pray every night you're safe."
His entire family wrote:
"How do we describe our sudden and tragic loss? … You were the most amazing individual "old soul" in a young man's body.
You so loved us, as we dearly loved you. As a close knit and very private family unit we have observed you so determined yet quietly travelling in your self-styled path in life, nothing would get in your way … no mountain too tall, no river too wide.
You dreamed your dreams and lived them with passion and intelligent commitment. We have been privileged to accompany you on a ride through life that has simply been amazing and through it all, we have loved each other beyond imagination.
Your true legacy lives on in beautiful little Matilda, who will always remain in the greatest of care. Our hearts are broken . . . Dad and Ines, Mum and Roger, Kate and Nathan, Rori and Scarlett, Ashleigh, Olivia, Elana and Nadia."
[Image via WENN.]
SOOO SAD,MAY HIM REST IN PEACE.:=(
'
=
you don't have to personally know someone to have a heart and feel compassion and pain for a family that loses that person. all i knew about him were the movies he made, what i read, and the fact that he seemed to be one of the few actors who are genuine. there is nothing wrong in expressing your grief, even for someone you don't know. this is really a moving situation and heath will be missed by many, many people. if you feel you need to be negative and judgmental about this man's death, that is really sad.
im heartbroken..im so sad.I cant even start to imagine how any of them is going through.I miss you Heath.RIP
You shouldn't have done drugs, you low-life self-centered fag-imitator. I'll piss on your grave for all of the good people in Australia. Great example, bloody bloke!
Very touching… may God bless and comfort Heath's family in their time of incredible loss.
Dearest Heath!! I read these messages. How sad for them and for all of us. There were so many things to look forward to. Now finished forever. Oh, Heath!!! I'm heart broken! His family loved him so much. I read he went home for Christmas to visit them. I'm glad he did that. This is so sad. So sad.
My eyes watered and my heart broke sipping my morning coffee. Heath, I was so shocked with your passing, I screamed "NO, NO, NO!!!" to the monitor screen, and my family could not believe it. You will always be missed. I am sure your artistic abilities were sky-high, but need not to worry anymore. You are already soaring above us all. With love, Chica
I got a teary-eyed there.
Of course this is some guy we don't know, but can't we all relate? It make you realise that we should all just love who we have because we never know when they will be gone.
I read this in the newspaper this morning. It was so sad. There are dozens of messages in there for him… They all say such lovely things. He was obviously much loved.
Unforgotten.lots of love for You.
That is heartbreaking. It really made me cry, this is so tragic and awful.
I agree with you Kim - it is disrepectful. This is their heartfelt message to their son and brother - not a chance for perezhilton.com to make a story. I appreciate your desire to commiserate with the family but this isn't the way.
A great loss. These people die for our enjoyment. Their art so frequently drives them towards things that forfeit their lives many years early. It only saddens me more to think that this cycle of many of our greatest actors and musicians dying young is nowhere near ending. RIP Heath, a great loss for us all.
That is so sad. Really heartbreaking. I rarely get emotional but reading those eulogies from his family made me choke up.
im incredibly emotional…so imagine…im cryin here…i didnt know him personally…but i liked him alot, he just had this air abt him…and so talented,seeing pictures of him and his baby breaks my heart…why did this happen to him…why is he gone so soon….such a senseless tragedy…i will pray fo r his family….rest in peace sweet soul…i know your safe…we will miss you…
This is honestly the first time I've broken into tears over his death.
My country has lost one of it's youngest and finest creative minds we will ever see, and that is painful…
But I cannot imagine the anguish his family and friends are going through right now.
They're in my prayers and thoughts.
RIP Heath. You were to beautiful for this world. xo
Oh and Lauren from comment #105 - great comment. You must be so proud of yourself. Hope that you're not Australian - what a disgrace to the country if you are.
My heart is broken for his family. I can just imagine what they're going through right now.
RIP Heath.
I bet they're extra sad that suicides go to hell (and homos too).
i'd also like to add, that heaven has truly gained an angel.
he will be watching over his baby forever
I cried while reading that. How heartbreaking it must be for them. Must habe been so hard to write.
You realise he was actually someones father, brother, son….not just Heath Ledger the celebrity.
I still cant believe this has happened.
Yeah, this was pretty depressing. RIP Heath… may you finally be in the God's arms.
By the way Perez, I couldn't access your website last night, it said "not connected"… did they cut you off?????????
I'm still shocked, sad and sorry. I can't believe it.
how tasteless to publicize your "goodbyes" to your DEAD SON in the fucking newspaper. DISGUSTING. what, they think heath is going to read "the west australian"? famewhores.
His family is so loving.
Is so hard to lose a loves one. They should remember him on his daughter and always try to be part of her life as she will need her father and unfortunately he will not be there.
My heart goes out to his loved ones, such a tragic waste of a beautiful life. God bless xx
Wow those are truly beautiful and heart breaking tributes. I stil hardly can believe it. I really cant. This just sucks.
I read this at work, and tried hard not to cry, but I couldn't help it. These words by his dad "We were one, in soul and commitment. Just . . . Father and Son" are some of the most beautiful, yet heart-breaking words I have ever read. Also, I just want to say this… Heath - I had the pleasure of meeting you in London three years ago - and you were so down-to-earth and even took the time to chat with me for a few minutes. I had been a big fan of yours for many years, and it meant so much that you took that time, however short it may have been. That memory of meeting you will live with me forever. RIP Heath. xx
I cried when I read this. Thank you Perez for sharing this. You can be a cheeky blighter but your coverage on Heath is so respectful. This is so sad.
I cant get over it. I cant imagine what his family is going thought. Everyone knows that the parents should never outlive their children. And losing a child is the greatest fear and the greatest tragedy for every human on this Earth. Heath, you will always be in our hearts and prayers. You were beautiful and humble. I love you.
So very sad
so terrible..so young.
rip xx
i cried.
That is so sad, my heart goes out to his family and friends. So tragic.
Im very sorry for your lost, RIP Heath
so sad! Rest in peace Heath…you will be missed.
So unbelievably sad… boy was this young man TRULY loved by his family and so many countless others. Same here, I was shaking with tears filling my eyes as I read through his famiy's words of love, loss and devotion. What a tragedy for all.
*tear* he will be so missed
his sisters writings really mad me cry
sad, but beautiful
love you Heath
being in perth i read the tributes in the paper today from the family and they bought me to tears. I also would like to thank Perez for the way in which this story has been covered. Local websites such as "PerthNow" have used shock journalism tactics such as the photos of Michelle Williams and Matilda arriving in the US and also Heath's body being taken out of his apartment- that is not necessary- we as the public do not need to see these things. So thank you again Perez for being so sensitive about this and cutting out all the speculative bullshit that other websites use to get more hits but don't think of the consequences that their lies could have on a family and a community.
Re: Howard – I Hope You Are the Next To Die… i would get over it very easy…. RIP Heath
i'm crying right now. We should all be so loved. I cannot imagine their pain.
Very touching. Seems like Heath had a very lovely family.
It just makes me even more mad about John Gibson's insensitive comments calling Heath a weirdo and a drug user- would he say that directly to Heath's family? Fucking coward. Sorry, the apology wasn't enough for me and I'm not over it- he should be fired.
my heart breaks reading this..it brought tears to my eyes.
cant believe im so sad about someone i didn't even know..but it feels like i did..
It is so sad, such a tragedy:( I'm in tears after reading his family's goodbye.
I still can't believe… Miss you, Heath.
Heartbreaking and lovely. How wonderful that he had a family like this and that they will continue to be there for Matilda.
I cry everytime I see that beautiful face. Wot a tragic loss. I cannot imagine wot his poor family are going thru. Isnt it ironic, that someone who shunned the publicity that some celebs thrive and do anything for a photo in a mag or newspaper should be on every single web site newspaper, magazine. Wonder wot he would have thought of it. RIP. God take care of u now.
what is there even to blog? too sad to even respond to.
My heart aches for his family, he was such a beautiful soul and will be sorely missed. An actor's purpose is to touch the souls of the audience through their acting, and Heath achieved this and more. He touched my soul and he was far too talented to leave. I just hope people leave his family alone, let them mourn in peace. Also, if there is nothing nice to say about Heath, don't say it. R.I.P. Heath, your legacy will live on through your daughter and your wonderful acting.
That was SO sad… it brought me to tears. Heath's death has been weighing heavily on my mind… as if I personally knew him. I don't remember being this sad about an actor's death. I hope he's in a good place now. May he rest in peace.
this is so sad! what a way to start the work day..sooo sad..
for people that are seriously taking the time to bash this person who is DEAD..seriously, are you ok? what is wrong with you? You dont have to personally know someone that passes to feel compassion for them. It is what his death symbolizes, that sometimes we all forget how fleeting life is..this is just sad..and out of respect for his family, stop being so rude!
awwh im crying, that was so touching! R.I.P Heath xxxxx
this made me cry.i'm so upset right now.we miss you heath.
Geez that turned the faucet on! God Bless Heath! thanks family for allowing us to delve in your tragic loss.
Thta was the most touching, beautiful memorium I ever read. Heath RIP. WE LOVED YOU and always will. THANKYOU for all the movie magic you brought us, and the many smiles and laughs. God bless your family and your soul.
We have lost a great soul
weeping…so sad
May God help his family during this devastating time. May he rest in peace. This is so sad i am near tears. I will pray for his family
Mare
Bless their hearts. I can't imagine. That was so touching and moved me to tears. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and little Matilda. He was such an amazing talent, but he's in a better place now. Peace be with you Heath.
this is so sad and my heart goes out to his family, matilda and also michelle and all his friends.
he was a really really great actor and will be missed by many
xxx
…
='[ this is way to sad ..
It's very sad to read that… my heart goes out to his family. It makes me even more angry now when I think of that asswipe John Gibson who said such nasty things about him and his death. BOYCOTT FOX. COMPLAIN ABOUT GIBSON THAT HE BE REMOVED FROM THE AIR!!!!!!!!!! Comments@foxnews.com - write them and complain !!
It's very sad to read that… my heart goes out to his family. It makes me even more angry now when I think of that asswipe John Gibson who said such nasty things about him and his death. BOYCOTT FOX. COMPLAIN ABOUT GIBSON THAT HE BE REMOVED FROM THE AIR!!!!!!!!!! Comments@foxnews.com - write them and complain !!
It's very sad to read that… my heart goes out to his family. It makes me even more angry now when I think of that asswipe John Gibson who said such nasty things about him and his death. BOYCOTT FOX. COMPLAIN ABOUT GIBSON THAT HE BE REMOVED FROM THE AIR!!!!!!!!!! Comments@foxnews.com - write them and complain !!
It's very sad to read that… my heart goes out to his family. It makes me even more angry now when I think of that asswipe John Gibson who said such nasty things about him and his death. BOYCOTT FOX. COMPLAIN ABOUT GIBSON THAT HE BE REMOVED FROM THE AIR!!!!!!!!!! Comments@foxnews.com - write them and complain !!
It's very sad to read that… my heart goes out to his family. It makes me even more angry now when I think of that asswipe John Gibson who said such nasty things about him and his death. BOYCOTT FOX. COMPLAIN ABOUT GIBSON THAT HE BE REMOVED FROM THE AIR!!!!!!!!!! Comments@foxnews.com - write them and complain !!
It's very sad to read that… my heart goes out to his family. It makes me even more angry now when I think of that asswipe John Gibson who said such nasty things about him and his death. BOYCOTT FOX. COMPLAIN ABOUT GIBSON THAT HE BE REMOVED FROM THE AIR!!!!!!!!!! Comments@foxnews.com - write them and complain !!
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,
spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone"
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,
hull and spar as she was when she left my side.
And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me — not in her.
And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone,"
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"
And that is dying…
-Harry Van Dyke
God bless Heath's family. His death affects me for reasons I do not understand.
Words, simple yet profoundly touching and beautiful. Tears fall. Joy in my heart knowing how deeply he was loved. Heath must be smiling up above.. a life well-lived.
What beautiful words. An old soul in a young mans body. May he be in peace and may his daughter always know how much he loved her. My heart goes out to his family. So very tragic
Re: gigi –
in Australia,(as in many other parts of the world) we have this tradition where the local newspaper has a section called "Obituaries". This is for people to express their love and respect for the deceased person, and also often to clarify funeral arrangements. You must live under a rock.
RIP Heath. Im glad so many genuine messages have been posted here and everywhere. We may not have known you personally, but you'd be inhuman not to be touched by a family's raw grief, and to empathise with them. We've all lost someone, or we will. Grief is universal and there is not a thing wrong with showing it.
Re: Bunbury Bunnie – "Thankyou Perez, for your respectful coverage of heath's passing. It speaks volumes about you."
.
.
You've obviously not been reading the other entries - they were anything BUT respectful.
So sad, reading that gave me goosebumps..this was all so preventable..I wish it could have been stopped…RIP Heath….
You are so fiercly loved and missed Heath!
There has been nothing but greif over your loss!
You made Australia proud mate….:(
wow. that broke my heart. seriously. i can't so sad.
Re: Sophie California – Sophie, I do not think you know very much about Heath by your post… which is fine. But stalked in Australia is an UNDERSTATEMENT. He actually loved NY very much and has ALOT of friends that are not RICH or hollywood there. They get to say goodbye (friends, neighbors, etc). I believe they are actually burying him in Australia. So sad. The whole thing just sucks. But the papsmearazzi stalked him in Aussie pretty badly. In NY until his death he was actually safe.
awwww! That just messed me up! Very beautifully written
R.I.P. Heath
Reading that just broke my heart. You were love by so many, Heath. Your family summed it up quite perfectly when they sai there will never be another like you. Be with God.
What a touching tribute to a man so clearly cherished by his family. Beautiful words for a beautiful human being.
Re: Perthy – "So thank you again Perez for being so sensitive about this and cutting out all the speculative bullshit that other websites use to get more hits but don't think of the consequences that their lies could have on a family and a community. "
.
.
Seriously? Are you writing these yourself Perez? No one else could possibly believe that you've handled this tragedy with respect or sensitivity - you have been the biggest distributor of slander and speculation throughout his death - just because you don't print the pictures does not make you a saint! (You still claimed he was found surrounded by "drug packets" and coke straws! Lead a life of drug abuse! And either died of an OD or suicide!)
.
.
Re: Perthy – "So thank you again Perez for being so sensitive about this and cutting out all the speculative bullshit that other websites use to get more hits but don't think of the consequences that their lies could have on a family and a community. "
.
.
Seriously? Are you writing these yourself Perez? No one else could possibly believe that you've handled this tragedy with respect or sensitivity - you have been the biggest distributor of slander and speculation throughout his death - just because you don't print the pictures does not make you a saint! (You still claimed he was found surrounded by "drug packets" and coke straws! Lead a life of drug abuse! And either died of an OD or suicide!)
.
.
Re: Perthy – "So thank you again Perez for being so sensitive about this and cutting out all the speculative bullshit that other websites use to get more hits but don't think of the consequences that their lies could have on a family and a community. "
.
.
Seriously? Are you writing these yourself Perez? No one else could possibly believe that you've handled this tragedy with respect or sensitivity - you have been the biggest distributor of slander and speculation throughout his death - just because you don't print the pictures does not make you a saint! (You still claimed he was found surrounded by "drug packets" and coke straws! Lead a life of drug abuse! And either died of an OD or suicide!)
.
.
no doubt this will become lost in the hoards of other messages…….
I sit here now in the warmth that is the Perth evening (western australia), at the end of a week that has seen such a character of the town become lost to the (n)everafter. this can only be described as a tragic accident - an unexplainable loss, one of those universal 'wrongs'.
People will blame all sorts of things for this, because in these sorts of situations society seeks to place blame. it could be poor health, the drug companies, the movie industry, relationship woes (straight or those 'portrayed otherwise' in MOVIE ROLES!!!!) or poor reporting by others in an emergency situation. Fact is, a young and talented man/father/son/brother and idol to many has departed us.
We write of messages of hope and love in the papers and various other forms of media out of bereavement and loss (for the benefit of the twit known as gigi - you fool). It is a catharsis for many, but most especially for the family. it by no means 'selling out' but rather a step to healing - a path that can be so long, and for many without end.
For those who knew you, and those who merely only watched - goodbye. Your final stage curtain has been drawn Heath however the applause will reign on………..
Unbelievably well written and touching, sad beyond words. What a wonderful family.
Re: Perthy – "So thank you again Perez for being so sensitive about this and cutting out all the speculative bullshit that other websites use to get more hits but don't think of the consequences that their lies could have on a family and a community. "
.
.
Seriously? Are you writing these yourself Perez? No one else could possibly believe that you've handled this tragedy with respect or sensitivity - you have been the biggest distributor of slander and speculation throughout his death - just because you don't print the pictures does not make you a saint! (You still claimed he was found surrounded by "drug packets" and coke straws! Lead a life of drug abuse! And either died of an OD or suicide!)
.
.
WAKE UP PEOPLE!
*speechless* My heart broke reading his families' comments for him :'(
We love you Heath, You will always be in our ♥
Having lost my little brothers and sister in tradgedies when they were young.. I know that families pain and feel for them. We did the same thing wrote our loved ones notes. It really helps.
God bless Heaths family and a angel of peace by their side.
So sorry for your loss.
I think his death affects many of us so much because of what he symbolizes .. a regular person..yet vastly talented..cut in his prime..like any of us or our loved ones can be…he wasnt a trainwreck pathetic celebrittny..just a man..who we saw have great love and heartache and father his beautiful child. A real person..who we could relate. It could be any of us. We grieve for ourselves, too but that is ok..pain is real and its what makes us alive and appreciate love.
SO SO SO SAD ='(
GOODBYE UGLY, NO-TALENT, DRUG ADDICT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROT IN HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: YOU FUCKING BASTARDS – I see…. so you have to actually KNOW somebody to feel very saddened by their sudden passing? Their acting and their spirit that was evident in every picture, every interview and every performance cant have touched you and moved you? The knowledge of a young person dying entirely too young whom the entire world only got to enjoy for 9 years… that is not enough to be saddened by? I think YOU should take your own advice and your own words and go figure out what you are really angry about. Perhaps you are miserable, lonely, and nobody ever notices you. Perhaps you have been abused and hurt so many times you cannot count. Those issues are not the issues here. The issues here are that there are thousands of fans whose hearts ache and because they were TOUCHED by him but didnt KNOW him they have no place to go but to these types of boards to grieve. Allow people to feel what they feel without condemnation. It may be the way to repair that rather large hole in yourself.
Thank you Heath. Thank you so much for sharing your talents and life. We´ll all see you in a little while…
Oh, my eyes welled up while reading that. So wonderful and sad.
Re: gigi –
There is one 'famewhore' here and I think you just smoked yourself out princess. You want to appear a sensationalist or more rather a z-list wanna be celeb and thus you theorize at a rather elementary level.
Grow up, move on, or as put earlier - crawl back under the rock from whence you came.
Rest in peace, Heath, you will never be forgotten. You and your family, Michelle and Matilda are in our prayers.
I think my heart just broke a little reading that. I think this family will take great care of his little girl.
WHAT PROBABLY KILLED HEATH - he took cold medicine along with his anxiety meds. I currently have a bad cold so I've been reading the labels for my cold medicine. All of them say do NOT take if you've taken an MAOI inhibitor in the last 2 weeks. I don't know what type of anxiety meds Heath was taking but it probably was an MAOI inhibitor. Everyone thinks that cold meds are harmless. PLEASE DO NOT TAKE COLD MEDICINE IF YOU HAVE TAKEN AN MAOI INHIBITOR IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS.
so sad, he will be greatly missed. such a tragedy.
Wow, so close to crying…that was beautiful.
R.I.P Heath