Hayden Panettiere, known for her role in “Heroes,” welcomed her daughter, Kaya, in 2014 with her former fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko. Panettiere faced significant challenges as a new mother, including postpartum depression, which she spoke about openly in the years that followed. In her May 2026 memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” she detailed her struggles during this difficult time.
The couple separated in August 2018, and during her battle with severe postpartum depression and addiction issues, Panettiere made the difficult decision to give full custody of Kaya to Klitschko. As a result, Kaya moved to Ukraine to live with her father. Panettiere described the day she signed the custody papers as a nightmare and expressed feelings of being out of control.
Although she did not specify when she gave up custody, Panettiere acknowledged that she still struggled with those emotions. She recognized the importance of considering what was best for Kaya, even if it meant making hard choices.
Over time, Panettiere and Klitschko developed a strong co-parenting relationship, which allowed her to bond more with Kaya. She described her daughter as a wonderful gift and praised her for being kind, sweet, and strong.
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Source: Amo Media, by Amo Media