Anthony Hopkins Reflects on Estrangement from Daughter Abigail
In his memoir We Did OK, Kid, Anthony Hopkins opens up about the painful estrangement from his daughter Abigail, which he describes as something that “broke my heart.” The acclaimed actor shares how his decision to leave his first wife, British actress Petronella Barker, deeply affected their relationship.
Marriage and Challenges
Hopkins, now 87 and sober for nearly 50 years, was a heavy drinker when he and Barker married in 1967. He writes about their unstable relationship: “Our opposing personalities and my alcoholism doomed the relationship from the start.” Despite trying to make things work for the sake of their child, the marriage was a disaster.
Relationship Struggles
Conflicts often arose, fueled by Hopkins’ alcoholism and Barker’s frustration over his career. He recalls one evening arriving home from a job in Scotland to be met with sarcasm from Barker, who called him “Mr. Lord High and Mighty.”
“By the time we realized how awful a match we were, Barker was pregnant. We tried to rally for the sake of the child we were about to have, but it was no use. The marriage was a disaster.”
Current Perspective
Though their relationship has been strained, Hopkins emphasizes that his door remains “always open” to Abigail, showing a willingness to reconcile despite past hardships.
Author's summary: Anthony Hopkins candidly shares how his troubled marriage and alcoholism led to estrangement from his daughter, yet he remains hopeful about healing their relationship.