Hayden Panettiere's Ex Wladimir Klitschko to Cover $30,000 Tax Bill for Daughter's Estate

Wladimir Klitschko, the former fiancé of the late actress Hayden Panettiere, has announced his intention to pay a $30,000 tax bill on Panettiere's behalf to prevent penalties that could diminish her estate, intended solely for their daughter, Kaya.

Panettiere died at age 36 on August 16 in Greenville, South Carolina, from the accidental, toxic effects of multiple drugs, including fentanyl. She is survived solely by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she had with Klitschko during their nine-year relationship.

In a filing obtained by The Daily Mail, Klitschko stated that Panettiere's 2025 individual state and federal income tax returns are due on extension on October 15, 2026. He expressed concern that failure to file on time would result in "unnecessary interest and failure to file penalties," directly impacting Kaya, who is the sole intestate heir to Panettiere's estimated $6 million estate.

Klitschko plans to advance his own funds to cover the tax liability and will seek reimbursement once the probate estate is formally opened, pending court approval. This action comes as part of a larger effort by Klitschko to protect Panettiere's assets for their daughter.

Legal documents filed on October 5 allege that items belonging to Panettiere, including jewelry, may have been sold to a pawn shop by an individual previously connected to the actress. The pawn shop has reportedly declined to provide specific item information without law enforcement involvement. Klitschko has requested that his appointment as guardian of Kaya's estate include the authority to "request and authorize law enforcement investigation into the recovery of Hayden's property believed to have been misappropriated."

Previously, in an October 1 filing, Klitschko sought temporary guardianship of his daughter's estate to protect her inheritance. He cited concerns that some of Panettiere's personal property had disappeared and that additional security measures had been implemented at her home due to unauthorized access. The filing noted that storage units containing designer clothing and accessories had been relocated as a precaution.

In 2018, Panettiere transferred full custody of Kaya to Klitschko amid her struggles with postpartum depression and addiction. Klitschko subsequently moved their daughter to his native Ukraine. Kaya is a U.S. citizen residing abroad with her father.

Panettiere, a U.S. citizen and resident of California, died intestate, meaning she did not leave a will. The court in Los Angeles has jurisdiction over the guardianship of Kaya's estate because Kaya, as the heir, is entitled to assets subject to Panettiere's probate administration in California. Klitschko's petition aims to ensure he can manage and hold these assets on Kaya's behalf.

The documents also indicate that federal agents may have accessed Panettiere's home as part of an ongoing investigation, removing some of her property. Klitschko emphasized the urgency of his appointment as temporary guardian to enable him to file Panettiere's probate petition and nominate a proposed estate administrator, citing a high probability of property loss or dissipation if an immediate appointment is not made.

Panettiere, known for her roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," began acting as a child and achieved wider recognition for her part in "Remember the Titans" and as the voice of Dot in Pixar's "A Bug's Life." Her role as Juliette Barnes on "Nashville" led to 11 entries on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs charts and two Golden Globe nominations. She also appeared in "Scream 4" and "Scream VI."