Hayden Panettiere Reveals Truth Behind Giving Up Custody of Her Daughter

Hayden Panettiere believes the public misunderstood one of the toughest decisions of her life.

The Nashville and Heroes actress responded to claims that she “gave away” her daughter, Kaya, after signing over custody to her former fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, in 2018.

In an appearance on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, Panettiere explained that it is untrue to suggest she easily stepped away from her child without suffering.

“The idea that anyone would think I would just give away my child and be okay with it is heartbreaking. That couldn’t be further from the truth,” Panettiere said.

At 36 years old, Panettiere explained that the custody decision came during a difficult time when she was facing mental health issues and substance abuse. She emphasized that she sought treatment on her own, disputing claims that others forced her into it.

“I think a misconception is that I have been forced into treatment when, in fact, I have been the one who sought it out,” she remarked. “Who was saying I desperately need help?”

Panettiere shares Kaya, who is 11, with Klitschko, a former world heavyweight boxing champion from Ukraine. The couple welcomed their daughter in December 2014 and raised her together during her early years until their split in 2018.

Panettiere mentioned that Klitschko believed Kaya should stay in Europe while she focused on recovery. She described the time apart from her daughter as incredibly painful.

“That was incredibly difficult,” Panettiere said. “Not having my child with me all day, every day is something that’s hard to put into words. It’s just a really intense feeling or multiple feelings layered together.”

Over time, Panettiere noticed how much stability Kaya had found in Europe, where she developed friendships, family ties, and a full life with her father.

This realization made Panettiere reconsider what would be best for her daughter when she became healthier.

“By the time I finally got healthy, I felt it would be unfair and selfish to try to pull her out of this life she had been creating, this incredible life she had been living,” Panettiere explained.

Kaya now lives abroad with Klitschko, but Panettiere assured that she remains close to her daughter. She highlighted that Kaya is happy, speaks five languages, and knows she is loved by both parents.

“She knows that she has two parents who love her, and I believe she feels supported,” Panettiere said.

She added that she has worked hard to ensure Kaya never feels abandoned.

“I know she understands that she has two parents who would do anything to keep her happy and healthy—mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually. She does not feel abandoned, and I’ve made it a priority to stay on top of that,” Panettiere said.

In recent years, Panettiere has been open about her struggles with postpartum depression and addiction and the effects they had on her personal and professional life.

In an essay from her upcoming memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, she shared her challenges after Kaya’s birth and her journey to recovery.

Despite the distance, Panettiere maintains a strong relationship with Kaya. She has also mentioned in previous interviews that they travel together when they can and stay connected even while living in different countries.