Wladimir Klitschko is speaking out about caring for his and the late Hayden Panettiere's 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, following the actress's death last month. Panettiere, best known for "Heroes" and "Nashville," died August 16 at age 36; Klitschko, the retired heavyweight champion, had raised Kaya primarily since the former couple separated in 2018.

In a personal statement, Klitschko said he is focused on helping Kaya remember her mother "with respect" and preserving her memory as the family navigates the loss together. Panettiere and Klitschko had maintained a close, amicable co-parenting relationship in the years since their split, with Panettiere previously saying the two promised never to speak badly of each other in front of their daughter.

The tribute has drawn an outpouring of support online, with fans praising Klitschko for prioritizing Kaya's stability during a difficult chapter. It's a quietly emotional coda to a relationship that once made tabloid headlines for very different reasons.