Former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko has broken his silence following the shocking death of his former fiancée Hayden Panettiere, sharing an emotional message centered on their 11-year-old daughter, Kaya.
Panettiere, widely known for her roles in Heroes, Nashville and the Scream franchise, died on August 16, 2026, at age 36. Her sudden passing triggered an outpouring of tributes from fans, friends and fellow entertainers.
Klitschko, who shares Kaya with the late actress, addressed the tragedy in an Instagram statement on Tuesday, August 18. The Ukrainian boxing legend said his family was experiencing profound grief and described Panettiere as an important part of his life despite their relationship having ended years earlier.
But it was his message about their daughter that proved particularly emotional.
Klitschko vowed to make sure Kaya grows up remembering her mother with love and respect, emphasizing that Panettiere will always remain an important part of their daughter’s life and history. His tribute was accompanied by a family photograph showing Klitschko and Panettiere with Kaya.
Klitschko and Panettiere began dating in 2009 and became engaged in 2013. They welcomed Kaya in December 2014 before eventually separating in 2018. Panettiere later spoke publicly about her difficult decision to allow Klitschko to have full custody of their daughter while she focused on addressing personal struggles.
Despite living apart from Kaya, Panettiere repeatedly spoke about maintaining a relationship with her daughter through visits and regular communication. Earlier in 2026, she expressed hope that Kaya would one day understand some of the painful decisions she made and never believe she was responsible for her mother’s struggles.
Klitschko has now asked the public to respect the family’s privacy as they mourn.
The former world champion’s emotional tribute has added another heartbreaking chapter to Panettiere’s death, as attention now turns to Kaya and the family dealing with the unexpected loss of a mother, daughter and internationally recognized actress.
