Anthony Hopkins Reflects on Regrettable Words About Estranged Daughter
Anthony Hopkins revisits a past interview he now regrets, where he spoke coldly about his daughter Abigail. The reflections appear in his new memoir We Did OK, Kid, where the actor opens up about family, sobriety, and a long career in film.
Estrangement and Misunderstandings
Hopkins, now 87, addresses his decades-long distance from Abigail, his 57-year-old daughter from his first marriage. He shares how their personal situation was misrepresented over the years.
"Though I’ve avoided talking about it, the estrangement has shown up in tabloids in horrific, untrue ways. Some tabloids said I got her into drugs or rejected her as a child," writes the actor.
Regret Over Harsh Words
Hopkins confesses that his language in the 2018 interview was unkind and not reflective of his true feelings at the time.
"It is true that I have spoken about her in the press coldly, saying in one regrettable interview that after 20 years of not hearing from her, I no longer knew where she was or if she’d ever married or had children, and that at that point I did not care."
Understanding the Past and Moving Forward
The Oscar-winning actor connects his behavior to inherited emotional patterns, acknowledging that his own upbringing shaped his responses.
"Though it’s no excuse, I know that was the coldness of my grandfather coming out: Move on! That hardness is my default."
Message of Openness and Hope
Hopkins closes the reflection with a message of reconciliation and goodwill toward his daughter.
"I hope Abigail knows that my door is always open to her and that I want her to be well and happy."
Author’s Summary
Anthony Hopkins expresses remorse for his detached words about his daughter, offering understanding, compassion, and the hope for renewed peace between them.