Hayden Panettiere Defends Herself Against Allegations of Abandoning Her Daughter

Hayden Panettiere is clarifying the situation regarding her choice to grant full custody of her daughter, Kaya, to ex Wladimir Klitschko.

“The notion that anyone would think I would simply give away my child and be fine with it is heartbreaking and could not be more inaccurate,” Panettiere, 36, expressed during her appearance on the “On Purpose With Jay Shetty” podcast on May 11.

Panettiere welcomed Kaya, now 11, with Klitschko, 50, in December 2014 while engaged to the Ukrainian boxing legend. However, in 2018, she awarded full custody to her ex amidst her battles with postpartum depression and addiction.

“I was grappling with mental health [issues], anxiety, postpartum [depression] and trying to perform as if everything was fine while feeling like I had completely lost myself,” the Heroes actress reflected on that period of her life. “The misconception is that I was forced into treatment when, in reality, I was the one actively seeking help, saying, ‘I desperately need assistance. I recognize this might look awful, but I cannot continue living like this.’”

Panettiere continued, “Even though Vlad didn’t grasp it, the people around me were unsure of what was occurring, I wasn’t even aware, yet they were supportive. It turned into a terrible cycle for years, battling depression, anxiety, alcoholism, and substance abuse while I attempted to navigate my way out of this darkness.”

The Nashville star mentioned that following her split from Klitschko, Kaya divided her time between the U.S. and Klitschko’s homeland of Ukraine, which allowed her to form strong connections in her father’s country while Panettiere sought help.

“I recognized she had been traveling back and forth for many years … she had spent considerable time over there, had family, friends, and extracurricular activities,” she stated. “She lived a beautiful life. She understood the languages and was starting to speak them.”

“So by the time I finally became healthy, I felt it would have been unfair and selfish to attempt to pull her away from this life she had developed,” Panettiere remarked. “She’s an amazing little girl. So joyful. [She] speaks five languages, rides horses, and knows she has two parents who love her. I am confident that she feels supported. I share a wonderful relationship with her. I visit her as often as I can. We share a deep and incredible bond, and I am very thankful for that.”

Panettiere emphasized that Kaya “in no way feels abandoned,” stating, “I have made it a priority to ensure that she never feels that way.”

“There has been a prevalent misconception that I simply gave up my child, which couldn’t be further from the truth,” she added. “I hope this clarifies things a bit.”