Anthony Hopkins Sends Message to Estranged Daughter Abigail in Book
Sir Anthony Hopkins addressed his estranged daughter, Abigail, in his memoir We Did OK, Kid, expressing that his "door is always open" to her. The 87-year-old actor shared his hopes for her well-being and happiness in the book, released on November 4.
“I hope my daughter knows that my door is always open to her. I want her to be well and happy.”
Hopkins reflected on his memories of Abigail as a baby, saying he will never forget her laughing in her crib during the first year of her life and sleeping peacefully on the night he left.
“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.”
He expressed ongoing sorrow for the pain caused by leaving the family, while maintaining he felt compelled to do so.
“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 Divorce
Hopkins shares Abigail with his first wife, Petronella Barker, to whom he was married from 1966 to 1972. Their marriage was described as tumultuous, partly due to Hopkins’ struggle with alcohol addiction, which influenced his decision to leave the family.
Attempts to Reconnect
Beginning his sobriety journey, Hopkins sought reconciliation and apologized to both Barker and Abigail. He flew to London in 1997 when Abigail was 9 for a meeting.
“We put up a good front, but obviously so much damage had been done. They didn’t want me there,” he recalled. “Throughout the meal, they kept catching each other’s eye and making faces.”
He also mentioned that Abigail stayed with him several times during her teenage years.
Author's Summary
Anthony Hopkins openly reflects on his personal regrets and strives for healing with his estranged daughter, revealing his vulnerability and hope for their future relationship.