Wladimir Klitschko pays tribute to Hayden Panettiere on birthday
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Wladimir Klitschko, the former fiancé of actress Hayden Panettiere, posted a tribute on Instagram on what would have been her 37th birthday, thanking fans and friends for their support since her death. Rather than celebrating as planned, he wrote that he was honouring "her life, her spirit, and the love she brought into this world," and urged followers to "think about LOVE," reach out to others and "be kind." The post capped a difficult week for those close to Panettiere, coming shortly after Klitschko had issued a statement acknowledging the family's "profound shock and grief."
Panettiere, best known for roles in Heroes, Nashville and the Scream franchise, died on 16 August aged 36 after being found unresponsive in cardiac arrest at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina; she was pronounced dead at the scene. She and Klitschko dated on and off from 2009, got engaged in 2013 and had a daughter, Kaya, now 11, before separating in 2018, with Klitschko later gaining sole custody amid Panettiere's struggles with postpartum depression and addiction, detailed in her 2026 memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning. The coroner's office said the autopsy found no signs of trauma on her body, but an official cause of death has not yet been announced.
- Klitschko honoured Panettiere's memory on her 37th birthday post-death
- Panettiere died 16 August, aged 36, cardiac arrest in South Carolina
- No trauma found in autopsy; official cause of death still pending
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Wladimir Klitschko is a retired Ukrainian professional boxer and former world heavyweight champion. He was in a long-term relationship with the American actress Hayden Panettiere, known for roles in Heroes, Nashville and the Scream films; the couple were engaged and share a daughter, Kaya, though they separated some years ago and Klitschko later took on primary care of their child.
Panettiere died in mid-August at the age of 36, at an apartment in South Carolina. She had previously spoken openly about her struggles with postpartum depression and addiction. Investigators have said there was no sign of trauma on her body, though an official cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
The story concerns how those close to Panettiere, including Klitschko, are processing her death and honouring her memory, against the backdrop of her public battles with mental health and a young daughter who has lost her mother.
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Originally published by The Hollywood Reporter as “Hayden Panettiere’s Ex-Fiancé Wladimir Klitschko Shares Heartfelt Message on Late Star’s 37th Birthday: “You Are Loved””.