Hayden Panettiere gave a final interview about her relationship with her daughter just weeks before her death.
Back in July, the actress spoke to parenting mag Momé about her decision to give up custody of her 11-year-old daughter Kaya to her ex Wladimir Klitschko. After a traumatic birth experience, Hayden was open about her struggles with postpartum depression, and even talked about how she didn’t get that “rush” of love that new moms talk about. She explained it made her feel very guilty, which made her turn to alcohol, that “ultimately ended up leading to an alcohol dependency”.
Related: Hayden Reflected On ‘Good Times’ In Last Instagram Post Before Sudden Death
While speaking about her daughter’s custody arrangement at the time, the 36-year-old said:
“It wasn’t a decision I made lightly, nor was it a decision I even wanted to make. I was going through a really challenging time in my life… I knew I needed to be able to put her first so that I could get the help I needed and be the mom she needed me to be.”
She also referred to her past struggles, which she detailed in her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning. She said she hoped her daughter might “understand” her struggles one day:
“You have to let go of what you wish you could change, and be present, and make the most of what you have now. I love my daughter, and I’m so proud of the young woman she is becoming. I talk to her all the time, and I feel so connected to her. One day she’ll understand my story, and why I wasn’t able to be with her all the time.”
As you know, Hayden tragically died on Sunday, which her father confirmed Alan Panettiere to People.
Our thoughts are with Kaya and the rest of Hayden’s loved ones. Rest in peace.
[Image via Hayden Panettiere/Wladimir Klitschko/Instagram]
