A terrible struggle with post-partum depression.
Long-distance custody agreements.
Domestic abuse throughout her childhood and eventual marriage.
These are just some of the tragic things Hayden Panetierre [pan-ah-tee-AIR] has faced throughout
her life.
Hayden Panettiere has been extremely open about her experiences with mental health issues,
namely how she struggled with experiencing postpartum depression following the birth
of her daughter Kaya in 2014.
Panettiere got candid about what she experienced on Live with Kelly and Michael in September
2015, saying:
“Women need to know that they’re not alone.”
She added:
"[...] It does heal.
There's a lot of misunderstanding.
There's a lot of people out there who think that it's not real, that it's not true, that
it's something that's made up in their minds [...] It's really painful and it's really
scary and women need a lot of support."
A month later, her rep confirmed she'd entered a rehab facility.
Speaking about the experience to Yahoo! in March 2016, she admitted she was "terrified"
of not being accepted after going public with her struggles, but was "tired" of living in
fear and was ready to, quote, "put it all out there on the table."
She entered rehab for a second time in May 2016, tweeting,
"The postpartum depression I have been experiencing has impacted every aspect of my life.
Rather than stay stuck due to unhealthy coping mechanisms I have chosen to take time to reflect
holistically on my health and life."
She spoke openly again after completing her second rehab stint on Good Morning America
in 2017, admitting,
"I think I'm a better mom because of it because you never take that connection for granted."
Hayden Panettiere and her daughter, Kaya Klitschko, have a lot of miles between them.
And we mean a lot, as Kaya spent much of her childhood in her dad, Wladimir Klitschko's,
custody in his native country.
Of course, being so far away from her daughter comes with its own challenges, with a source
telling People in July 2019 that Panettiere's "life is in flux" with her daughter living
apart from her, though a lawyer for the star claimed they still saw one another "regularly."
That report came five months after Us Weekly claimed that Panettiere "hasn't had much time"
with her daughter.
An insider alleged that because of her tumultuous personal life, likely a reference to her troubles
with Brian Hickerson, the star knew that her daughter "being with her'' wasn't best for
Kaya.
The insider went on to describe the whole situation as "sad."
Radar doubled down on that that same month, claiming Panettiere didn't see Kaya over the
holidays while describing things as "heartbreaking and challenging."
Panettiere herself opened up in May 2017 about how hard it was being away from her little
girl, telling Australia's TV Week,
"She changes not only weekly, but daily, hourly.
Because Wladimir and I don't live in the same country sometimes,
"This is your beautiful daughter, Kaya."
"That's Kaya."
Hayden Panettiere appeared to go through a tough time following her split with her former
fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, and barely left the tabloid gossip columns as she appeared
to head out and party.
Snaps of Panettiere appearing to be intoxicated and vomiting during a night out were published
by Radar in August 2018, with the outlet alleging that a bar had refused to serve her because
she had already had too many.
Two months later, a source alleged that her apparent ongoing wild ways had her family
and friends worried, claiming to Life & Style that Panettiere had "been drinking too much
and acting out."
They also claimed that Klitschko had been "a calming influence on her" when they were
together and her nearest and dearest were concerned that she seemed "to be losing control"
following their split.
Panettiere previously admitted that she'd grown up with alcohol in her life.
She told British outlet Now in 2010 that she first had a drink when she was only eight
years old, explaining,
"I was raised Italian and we always had diluted glasses of red wine at dinner time [...] It
wasn't ever something bad."
Another of the darkest times in Hayden Panettiere's life came in the wake of her split with Wladimir
Klitschko, when she embarked on a new romance with Brian Hickerson in August 2018.
However, things quickly turned toxic between the two.
May 2019 saw Hickerson arrested for domestic violence, with Radar claiming the two got
into what the LAPD described as a "physical and verbal argument."
Panettiere's mom, Lesley Vogel, spoke about the incident to Radar, claiming she was "in
shock," but the two appeared to downplay the drama as they were snapped holding hands two
weeks later.
Hickerson was charged with domestic violence later that month, but pleaded not guilty.
A protective order was put in place, meaning he couldn't contact or come within 100 yards
of her.
Sadly, that wasn't the end.
Hickerson was arrested again, this time on Valentine's Day 2020, for allegedly punching
Panettiere, according to Us Weekly.
Panettiere got a restraining order the following July and confirmed she was a victim of domestic
abuse, telling Us Weekly,
"I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again."
August 2020 bought rumors Hickerson hadn't left his ex alone though, before he was sentenced
to 45 days in prison in April 2021.
Following his release, he and Panettiere were spotted spending time together on multiple
occasions, but have stayed quiet about the status of their relationship.
Sadly, Hayden Panettiere's experiences with domestic abuse didn't mark the first time
such violence has entered her life.
In August 2008, Hayden's dad, Alan Panettiere, was arrested for allegedly hitting her mom
on her left cheek, according to an account of the incident in People magazine.
TMZ alleged that the incident happened during a charity event hosted by their daughter at
a restaurant, alleging that Alan supposedly saw Lesley "hanging" with an unknown person
at the party and he felt she was "disrespecting" him.
He was arrested the following month, and was sentenced in January 2009.
Alan did not receive jail time, but TMZ claimed he pleaded no contest to the chargers and
was punished with 24 months probation, $400 in fines, and was also forced to attend domestic
violence counseling.
Hayden doesn't appear to have publicly commented on the incident between her parents, though
her rep told People immediately following the altercation that it was a "private" matter.
Hayden Panettiere had a lot to deal with when her parents got divorced, as the two fought
it out in a lengthy court battle that didn't seem all that amicable.
It's thought the two split around 2008, with a 19-year-old Panettiere reported to have
been caught in the middle of her parents.
Hayden appeared to support both, offering her mom a place to stay rent-free, according
to TMZ.
That decision came after Vogel claimed in court documents that Hayden's dad had only
paid her four months of spousal support over three years.
Hayden also had her dad's back, though, with the documents claiming that the Heroes actor
had allegedly given her dad $100,000.
In 2016, the two finally settled the terms of their divorce, with TMZ claiming that Alan
had to pay back his daughter the $100,000 sum she gave him, as well as $5,000 a month
to his former wife for a total of five years.
The lengthy battle no doubt wasn't the easiest time for anyone involved — including Hayden
and her brother, Jansen Panettiere.
The world watched on in horror in February 2022 when Ukraine was invaded by Russia, but
Hayden Panettiere actually had a very personal connection to the European country which made
things that much more painful.
"I can't continue sitting on the sidelines just watching as this disaster rages on."
Of course, Panettiere was engaged to Wladimir Klitschko, a Ukrainian native who still lives
in the country.
His brother, Vitali Klitschko, is actually the mayor of the capital city, Kyiv.
The Klitcschko brothers appeared on social media together and vowed to take arms and
fight off the Russian army themselves, which we have no doubt left Panettiere concerned
for the safety of the father of her daughter.
Panettiere shared her heartache on Instagram, posting a snap on February 25 of herself and
her former fiancé meeting with Ukranians alongside a heartfelt caption.
Paniettere wrote:
"I have personally witnessed the strength of the Ukrainian people who fought so hard
for their independence and have continued to passionately defend their country over
the years.
What Putin is doing is an absolute disgrace!"
Panettiere also replied to a comment from a concerned fan on Instagram, confirming that
her daughter Kaya was "safe" and not in the country when war broke out.
Panettiere showed her support for the country and its future multiple times before the war,
even attending and speaking out at protests in Kyiv back in 2013 alongside Wladimir.
Hayden Panettiere has been very open about her struggles with her own body, bravely sharing
how being in the spotlight once influenced the way she thought and felt about herself.
The star made the very candid confession in a September 2012 interview with Women's Health,
sharing where she believed her issues stemmed from.
Panettiere recalled seeing a photo of herself in a tabloid when she was 16 years old with
the word "cellulite" on it.
She admitted to the outlet that she "was mortified" and suffered from "body dysmorphia for a long
period afterwards, though she also revealed how she worked hard to overcome her negative
thoughts.
The star told the outlet:
"I remember reminding myself that beauty is an opinion, not a fact.
And it has always made me feel better."
"I feel good.
It's slow and steady wins the race."
Panettiere went on to describe eating healthy as a "constant battle," sharing,
"I find when I'm overly concerned about what I eat, I stress out my body and put on weight."
Panettiere since appears to have gotten herself on a better path, admitting she didn't worry
too much about her body after welcoming her daughter, Kaya, into the world.
In a 2020 interview with People magazine, Panettiere had this to say:
"You go through the, 'I'm not going to eat,' 'I'm not going to eat this,' 'I'm not going
to eat that,' Part of [losing the weight] is mind, body and spirit.
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If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text
Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI
(6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National
Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233.
You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.