Anthony Hopkins Sends a Message to Estranged Daughter Abigail in New Memoir
In his memoir We Did OK, Kid, Sir Anthony Hopkins reaches out to his estranged daughter, Abigail, expressing hope for reconciliation. The actor, 87, shares a heartfelt message:
“I hope my daughter knows that my door is always open to her. I want her to be well and happy.”
Hopkins reflects on early memories with Abigail, writing,
“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 expresses regret about the past, saying,
“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 Past Struggles
Anthony Hopkins shares Abigail with his first wife, Petronella Barker, to whom he was married from 1966 to 1972. Their marriage was troubled, affected in part by Hopkins’ battle with alcohol addiction, which contributed to his decision to leave the family.
Attempts at Reconciliation
When Hopkins began his path toward sobriety, he attempted to make amends. In 1997, he traveled to London for a meeting with Barker and Abigail, who was nine at the time. He candidly described the tense atmosphere:
“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 difficulties, Abigail stayed with him several times during her teenage years.
Author’s summary: Anthony Hopkins’ memoir reveals his enduring love and regret toward his estranged daughter, highlighting his struggle with family bonds and his hope for healing.