‘I have a lot more life left to live’ Hayden Panettiere’s heartbreaking final interview & tearful message before death

HAYDEN Panettiere heartbreakingly declared she had “a lot more life to live” in one of her final interviews before her sudden death aged 36. The Heroes star spoke optimistically about a new chapter ahead after finally feeling she had escaped years of “darkness” and personal turmoil. Hayden Panettiere stated she had “a lot more life to live” in a final interview Credit: Youtube/Jay Shetty Podcast The actress (pictured in 2006) spoke optimistically about a new chapter after escaping years of ‘darkness’ Credit: Splash Just three months before her death, Panettiere sat down with Jay Shetty while promoting her deeply personal memoir titled This Is Me: A Reckoning. During the podcast interview, published in May, the actress reflected on finally reaching a brighter place after years marked by addiction, abuse, mental health struggles and devastating loss. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! “I finally feel like I have shaken off all of this darkness and this negativity,” Panettiere said. “I’ve closed one door and another door is opened … I can feel all the exciting possibilities. I feel like I have a lot more life to live.” More on Hayden Panettiere The hopeful words have now taken on a heartbreaking significance following the star’s death at just 36. Panettiere had been on a promotional tour for her memoir when she spoke to Shetty, opening up about some of the most painful periods of her life. The candid book chronicled her battles with addiction and mental health, as well as abuse, family loss and her long road to recovery. But during the interview, Panettiere appeared focused firmly on what could come next. Most read in Showbiz She described finally being able to shut the door on the negativity that had followed her and said she could see “exciting possibilities” ahead. It comes as the actress also shared a series of heartbreaking messages about her future just weeks before her death. The Heroes star opened up about motherhood, past trauma and her hopes for the life she still had ahead of her as she promoted her deeply personal memoir. Panettiere’s death was announced by her father on Sunday, following a career that saw her grow from a child star into one of Hollywood‘s most recognizable faces. Panettiere (pictured in May 2026) reflected on reaching a brighter place after addiction and mental health struggles Credit: Getty Panettiere welcomed her daughter Kaya, now 11, with former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko (L) in 2014 Credit: Shutterstock Editorial One of her final interviews saw Panettiere speak candidly about the devastating experiences she had endured – and the work she was still doing to move forward. Speaking to parenting outlet Momé for its July cover, she said: “I’m a work in progress – we all are. I take each day as it comes. I’m doing the work, and I’m doing my best.” During the cover interview, Panettiere also spoke openly about one of the most painful chapters of her life – being separated for long periods from her daughter Kaya. The actress welcomed Kaya, 11, with former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. She suffered postpartum depression after giving birth and ultimately made the decision for Kaya to live primarily with her father. But Panettiere insisted her daughter’s wellbeing had always come first. “I’ve been able to put her first no matter how I’ve felt or what I’ve experienced,” she said. She added that she hoped “one day she’ll understand my story, and why I wasn’t able to be with her all the time.” Hayden Panettiere pictured in American TV series Heroes as Claire Bennet Credit: Getty The actress also starred in Drama show Nashville alongside Connie Britton (L) Credit: Lionsgate The star ended the interview with an uplifting message for other mothers battling through difficult periods. “You’re stronger than you know. And you’re going to be just fine.” Just weeks earlier, Panettiere had spoken movingly about the legacy she hoped to leave behind. Appearing at the Harmony Gold Theater in Los Angeles on May 26 for a book signing and panel, the actress revealed strangers had approached her after she spoke publicly about her mental health struggles. “So many people have have come up to me within the industry and outside of the industry and shared their stories with me and said, ‘Because you’ve talked about your mental health, it gave me the courage to be honest about mine and get myself help and you saved my life,’” she recalled. Panettiere said hearing those stories convinced her that sharing her own painful experiences had been worthwhile. She continued: “I was like, This is worth it. I can hopefully leave the world a better place than I found it.” The poignant remarks would become among her final public messages before her death. Comment now