View gallery
Hayden Panettiere She had to give up custody of her daughter Kaya to her ex-husband Wladimir Klitschkowhile battling postpartum depression coupled with addiction. The decision was not light, the first Heroes The actress got candid about the topic during a recent interview Jay Shetty On his podcast “On Purpose.”
“The idea that anyone would think that I would give up my child and give up on him is heartbreaking,” Hayden said in May 2026. “It couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s become this horrible cycle of years of fighting depression and anxiety and alcoholism and drug abuse, and I’m just trying to find my way back.”
Since Kaya doesn’t live with her mother, where is she now? Here’s what we know.
What happened to Hayden Panettiere’s daughter, Kaya?
Hayden gave up full custody of her child to ex-husband Vladimir in 2018 to focus on her recovery from addiction and postpartum depression.
“I was the one who sought it out, and he was like, ‘I’m desperate for help,'” Hayden explained during the 2026 podcast interview. I know this is going to sound terrible, but I am. “I can’t live like this anymore.”
Where does Hayden’s daughter live now?
Kaya lives in Europe with her father. After Hayden and Vladimir split in 2018, the former boxer brought her back to his home country, Ukraine, where they built an “incredible” life for her, Hayden noted in her 2026 interview.
“So, by the time she was finally healthy, I felt like it would be unfair and selfish of me to try to take her out of this life that she was creating,” Hayden explained of Kaya’s life in Ukraine.
Will Hayden regain custody of Kaya?
The custody agreement will be up to both Hayden and Vladimir, but at this time, Hayden does not have full custody of Kaia, which she explained is because Vladimir and Kaia have built an “incredible” life in Europe. However, Hayden said she maintains a strong relationship with her daughter, even though they are physically apart.
“I have an amazing relationship with her,” Hayden said, noting that they have frequent FaceTime calls. “We have a really strong, wonderful bond, and I’m so grateful for that.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, call Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline At 1-800-662-Help (4357).
