Wladimir Klitschko posts tribute to late ex-partner Hayden Panettiere on her birthday
Former boxer Wladimir Klitschko used Instagram to honor actress Hayden Panettiere on what would have been her 37th birthday, thanking fans for their support after her death.
Former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko posted a message on Instagram on Friday, the day that would have marked Hayden Panettiere’s 37th birthday. He wrote that instead of celebrating as planned, friends and family were remembering “her life, her spirit, and the love she brought into this world.”
Klitschko thanked fans, friends and others who reached out after Panettiere’s death, saying the outpouring of support reminded him that “there is still so much good in humanity.” He encouraged followers to “embrace love, reconnect with a friend, offer forgiveness and show kindness,” adding, “Love is a superpower. Use it.”
The post included a photo of Panettiere and expressed that she was “loved, missed, and will never be forgotten.”
Panettiere, who died on August 16 in Greenville, South Carolina, was found unresponsive at an Airbnb. The coroner’s office reported no signs of trauma, and the cause of death remains under investigation. Her father, Skip Panettiere, released a statement describing her as a “light and a force of nature” and asked for privacy for the family.
Klitschko, who shares daughter Kaya, now 11, with Panettiere, previously posted a separate tribute on Facebook, noting the family’s “profound shock and grief” and affirming his respect for Panettiere’s career and her role as Kaya’s mother.