Who Was Anthony Hopkins
Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins, a two-time Academy Award-winning Welsh actor, recently opened up about his difficult first marriage in his memoir We Did Ok, Kid, released on November 4, 2025. The book explores his celebrated career on stage and screen, his personal life, and his battle with alcoholism.
Marriage to Petronella Barker
Hopkins married British actress Petronella Barker in September 1967. Reflecting on their relationship, he described it as “the worst two years of my life.” He attributed the failure of their marriage mainly to their conflicting personalities and his drinking problem.
“What followed were the worst two years of my life.”
By the time Hopkins realized they were incompatible, Barker was already pregnant with their first child.
About Petronella Barker
Petronella Barker, daughter of actress Pearl Hackney and comedian Eric Barker, appeared in productions such as Othello, A Flea in Her Ear, The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes, and Miss Nightingale. She married Hopkins at 24, but their marriage ended in separation in 1972.
Summary
Anthony Hopkins' memoir reveals the challenges of his early marriage and personal struggles alongside his remarkable acting achievements.