Hayden Panettiere’s Decision to Give Up Custody of Daughter Was ‘Painful’ But ‘She Put Kaya First’ (Exclusive Source)

Kayla GrantMon, August 17, 2026 at 6:45 PM UTC

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Hayden PanettiereCredit: Todd Williamson/Getty -

Hayden Panettiere only “wanted what was best for Kaya,” an exclusive source shares with PEOPLE following her death

The actress died on Sunday, Aug. 16, at age 36

According to the insider, Panettiere, who welcomed her daughter Kaya with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, was “so incredibly proud” of the 11-year-old

Hayden Panettiere only “wanted what was best for Kaya,” an exclusive source shares with PEOPLE following the star’s sudden death.

An exclusive source tells PEOPLE that the late actress, who died on Sunday, Aug. 16, at age 36, was “so incredibly proud” of her 11-year-old daughter Kaya, whom she welcomed with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko.

“She was so incredibly proud of Kaya. She’d talk about her all the time, and you could see how much she loved her. But there was also always sadness there,” says the insider. “It was heartbreaking for Hayden that she wasn’t able to be part of her daughter’s everyday life.”“Hayden struggled for a very long time, and she wanted nothing more than to get better and stay sober,” they add. “It was just incredibly difficult for her. But even when she was struggling, she wanted what was best for Kaya.”

Hayden Panettiere and her daughter KayaCredit: Hayden Panettiere/X

Panettiere was devastated when her ex-fiancé sought full custody of their daughter, adds the source. However, they say that the Bring It On: All or Nothing alum ultimately decided not to fight it.

“It takes a certain kind of strength as a mother to recognize that what you want for yourself may not be what’s best for your child,” the source tells PEOPLE. “Of course Hayden wanted to be with Kaya every day, but she also knew that she was struggling and that Kaya had stability with her dad and family. As painful as that was for Hayden, she put Kaya first.”

“She knew that her daughter was safe, loved and being taken care of,” they continue. “That gave her comfort.”

The Nashville alum candidly spoke about her feelings of grief surrounding her motherhood journey in her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, released in May. Panettiere, who became a mother in December 2014, shared that even though her decision to give up custody made her heart ache, she was “blessed” to be Kaya’s mom.

“I grieve that I’m not the mother I want to be (trust me, no one should ever have to raise a child on FaceTime) and although I miss Kaya so much my heart aches, I know how blessed I am to be her mom,” she wrote in her memoir. “She is the greatest gift of my life, with all the best parts of her father and me.”

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Hayden PanettiereCredit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty

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At an event in Los Angeles, Calif., to discuss her memoir the month it was released, the late actress was asked what she hopes her daughter will eventually understand from her book.

“I don’t want her ever to read it and think any of it was her fault,” said Panettiere. “I love her so dearly. [It’s a lot for an] 11-year-old to process that.”

She added, “I’ll continue protecting her, especially while she’s young.”

The late actress known for her roles in Heroes, Nashville and Remember the Titans died suddenly on Sunday at age 36.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” a rep for Panettiere confirmed to PEOPLE. “She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”