Anthony Hopkins Sends Message to Estranged Daughter Abigail in Memoir
Sir Anthony Hopkins addressed his estranged daughter, Abigail, in his memoir We Did OK, Kid, sharing a heartfelt message and reflections on their strained relationship.
Open Message to Daughter
“I hope my daughter knows that my door is always open to her. I want her to be well and happy.”
Hopkins, 87, expressed his enduring hope for reconciliation and happiness for Abigail in the book published on November 4.
Memories and Regrets
He remembered with deep emotion the early moments of Abigail’s childhood:
“Until the day I die, I will never forget the sight of her in that crib, laughing up at me when I walked in the room the first year of her life, sleeping soundly the night I left. I will always be sorry for hurting her when I left the family, even as I believe to this day that I had no choice.”
Background on Family and Separation
- Abigail is Hopkins’s daughter with his first wife, Petronella Barker, whom he was married to from 1966 to 1972.
- Their marriage was turbulent, partly due to Hopkins’s struggle with alcohol addiction.
- Hopkins decided to leave the family during this difficult period.
Attempts at Reconciliation
In 1997, when Abigail was nine, Hopkins flew to London to try to mend their relationship:
“We put up a good front, but obviously so much damage had been done. They didn’t want me there. Throughout the meal, they kept catching each other’s eye and making faces.”
Despite the tension, Abigail stayed with Hopkins several times during her teenage years.
Author’s Summary
Anthony Hopkins’s memoir reveals his enduring love and regret for his estranged daughter, while candidly addressing past struggles and efforts to reconnect.