After years of public speculation and harsh online judgment, Hayden Panettiere is finally opening up about the painful reason she gave up custody of her daughter, Kaya.

During an emotional appearance on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, the actress pushed back against claims that she had “abandoned” her child, saying the reality behind the decision was far more heartbreaking.

“The idea that anybody would think that I would just give away my child and be OK with it is heartbreaking,” Panettiere said through tears.

A Private Battle Hidden Behind Fame

At the height of her success on shows like Nashville and Heroes, Panettiere says she was privately battling severe postpartum depression, addiction, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion.

After giving birth to her daughter in 2014, the actress admitted she felt overwhelmed and unable to function normally despite appearing fine publicly.

She later sought treatment multiple times, explaining that many people around her did not fully understand the severity of postpartum depression at the time.

Why Kaya Began Living With Her Father

Panettiere shares daughter Kaya with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko.

As her mental health struggles intensified, Kaya eventually began living full-time with Klitschko overseas while Panettiere focused on recovery.

The actress explained that she originally believed the arrangement would be temporary until she became healthy again.

“I was gonna work on myself and get better,” she said. “And when I got better, things could change.”

‘The Hardest Thing I Could Do’

Panettiere admitted the custody decision devastated her emotionally and said she initially fought fiercely against it.

Still, over time, she realized her daughter was thriving in a stable environment surrounded by family, friends, and structure.

“By the time I finally got healthy, I felt like it would have been unfair of me and selfish of me to try to pull her out,” she explained.

The actress later described relinquishing custody as “the most heartbreaking thing” she has ever experienced.

Their Bond Remains Strong

Despite living in different countries, Panettiere insists she and Kaya remain extremely close.

Now 11 years old, Kaya reportedly speaks multiple languages and enjoys horseback riding, skiing, and outdoor activities. Panettiere says they regularly communicate through FaceTime and have deep conversations together.

“She knows that she’s got two parents that love her,” the actress said.

Opening Up About Mental Health

Panettiere’s recent interviews have also focused heavily on raising awareness around postpartum depression and maternal mental health struggles.

She says she hopes her honesty will help other women feel less alone and encourage more open conversations about the emotional realities many mothers face after childbirth.

For years, critics questioned her choices without fully understanding the circumstances behind them. Now, Panettiere says her decision ultimately came from love and a desire to protect her daughter while she fought to heal herself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs6x8VUGXCw&t=4273s