Hayden Panettiere’s untimely passing has shocked the world. She was a household name in Hollywood, having starred in numerous television shows and films. Panettiere began her career in the entertainment industry when she was just 11 months old and went on to appear in One Life to Live, the superhero series Heroes, Scream, and more.  

The actress was just 36 years old when she passed away on August 16, 2026. Her death has left Hollywood reeling, and her family grieving the loss of their loved one.

Hayden Panettiere is survived by her parents, Lesley Vogel and Skip Panettiere, and her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya Evdokia. The actress married former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko, and the two welcomed their daughter in 2014 in Hawaii. Later in 2018, the actress parted ways from Klitschko.

The same year, she decided to give custody of her daughter to her husband. The reason behind her decision was her own struggles with alcoholism and postpartum depression. However, she explained that it was a difficult decision for her. 

“I mean, the idea that anybody would think that I would just give away my child and be okay with it is heartbreaking. Couldn’t be further from the truth,” she said on Jay Shetty’s podcast On Purpose in May 2026.

She opened up about how she had sought treatment for herself. While her daughter, Kaya, may have been away in Europe with her father, she maintained a close connection with her mother. As Panettiere explained on the podcast, she travelled as many times as she could to meet her daughter and often FaceTimed her to talk about things.

“I know that she knows that she has two parents that would do anything in the world to make sure that she is happy and healthy, mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually. She in no way feels abandoned and that’s something that I’ve made sure to stay on top of and be very aware of,” she said.

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Panettiere’s death was devastating for her parents, who had lost their son in 2023.

Much like Hayden Panettiere, Jansen Panettiere also worked in the entertainment industry, appearing in films and television shows. He was an actor and appeared in Even Stevens, Blue’s Clues, That’s So Raven, and The X’s. He passed away in 2023 at the age of 28.

Although the family did not reveal the cause of his death at the time, Men’s Journal reported that his death certificate listed cardiomegaly as the cause. In a 2024 interview with People, Panettiere spoke about her brother’s death and revealed that she was heartbroken by the loss. Hayden Panettiere’s passing is yet another devastating blow to her family, friends, Hollywood, and those who knew and loved her.

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