In a rare and deeply personal revelation, legendary actor Sir Anthony Hopkins has spoken candidly about the painful estrangement from his only daughter that has lasted for nearly two decades.
The Painful Separation
The 86-year-old Oscar winner disclosed that his relationship with his daughter, Abigail Hopkins, 61, effectively ended around 2005. "We're estranged, we've been estranged for a long time," Hopkins confessed during a recent interview. "She doesn't want to know me. And I don't blame her."
A Legacy of Alcoholism and Regret
Hopkins attributes the breakdown in their relationship to his struggles with alcoholism during her childhood. The actor, who has been sober since 1975, acknowledged that his addiction created an environment where he was largely absent as a father.
"Children need consistency, and I wasn't consistent," Hopkins reflected. "I was drinking, I was selfish. Doing my own thing, going out, making movies."
Family Background and Relationships
Abigail is Hopkins' only child from his first marriage to Petronella Barker, which lasted from 1967 to 1972. The actor has since been married to his third wife, Stella Arroyave, since 2003.
Despite the distance between them, Hopkins expressed pride in his daughter's accomplishments as a singer and actress. "She's very talented," he noted, while acknowledging the emotional chasm that remains between them.
Finding Peace in Later Life
Now in his eighth decade, Hopkins appears to have found a measure of peace with the situation. "Life moves on," he stated philosophically. The acclaimed actor continues to maintain a busy career while living in the United States with his current wife.
This heartfelt confession provides a rare glimpse into the personal struggles behind one of cinema's most celebrated actors, reminding us that family challenges touch lives at every level of success.
