Greenville, South Carolina – Hayden Panettiere was supposed to celebrate her 37th birthday on Friday, but just five days earlier, the beloved actor died. Now, her ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko has revealed how they planned to celebrate her birthday as a family.
Klitschko, who shares a daughter with Panettiere, wrote on social media that they couldn’t celebrate her birthday as originally “planned.”
Instead, the 50-year-old and their daughter are celebrating “her life, her spirit, and the love she brought into this world,” he explained in the moving tribute.
Panettiere and Klitschko met in 2009, split in 2011, and got back together two years later – even getting engaged.
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Their daughter, Kaya, was born in 2014, but the couple ultimately called it quits for the final time in 2018.
Nevertheless, the two have remained close, as his birthday wishes demonstrate.
“Happy Birthday, Hayden. You are loved, you are missed, and you will never be forgotten,” the former boxer wrote.
He also used the post to spread heartfelt words: “I want to thank all of Hayden’s fans, friends, and everyone who has reached out for the incredible outpouring of love and support.”
“At a time filled with so much sadness, your kindness has reminded me that there is still so much good in humanity,” Klitschko continued.
He asked anyone reading his message to think about love, adding, “Reach out to a friend. Forgive someone. Be kind.”
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Panettiere died on August 16 after a reported cardiac arrest in Greenville, South Carolina.
Her cause of death has not been confirmed, but 911 dispatch audio revealed talk of a possible overdose, and the Drug Enforcement Administration has since joined the investigation into the tragedy.
