Hayden Panettiere Reveals Almost Died During Childbirth
Hayden Panettiere appeared on CBS Mornings and told Gayle King that she almost died while giving birth to her daughter Kaya.
parade.comHere are the latest publicly reported updates on Hayden Panettiere and her daughter Kaya:
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Hayden Panettiere discussed giving up custody of her daughter Kaya in 2018 while she was dealing with addiction and postpartum depression. She described the decision as heartbreaking but necessary for Kaya’s well-being and noted that Kaya lives in Europe with ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko; Panettiere says they maintain a strong relationship and she visits and FaceTimes regularly. [Source reporting May 12–18, 2026 coverage][1]
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In a May 2026 interview on CBS Mornings, Panettiere stated she almost died during childbirth but emphasized her ongoing, positive relationship with Kaya, who is now 11 and who she sees as thriving and well-supported. Panettiere described frequent communication and travel to spend time with Kaya.[2]
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Panettiere has also pushed back on rumors that she abandoned Kaya, insisting the custody decision was made in a difficult but loving context and that Kaya has two parents who love her; she continues to be deeply involved in Kaya’s life through visits and calls.[4][5]
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Coverage indicates Kaya is multilingual and enjoys activities like horseback riding, and Panettiere has expressed pride in Kaya’s resilience and well-being despite the distance caused by Kaya living abroad.[1][4]
If you’d like, I can pull recent direct quotes or summarize her statements from the latest interviews, or look for any updates about Kaya’s schooling or current location. Also, would you like a brief timeline of key moments in Panettiere’s custody discussion for context?