Anthony Hopkins Reflects on Estrangement from Daughter Abigail
In his memoir We Did OK, Kid, Anthony Hopkins opens up about his painful estrangement from his daughter Abigail, whom he had with his first wife, Petronella Barker. The acclaimed actor describes the situation as something that "broke my heart."
Background of the Relationship
The two-time Oscar winner, now 87, shares his experience of walking away from Barker, a British actress aged 83, and how that decision affected his relationship with Abigail, now 57. Hopkins candidly discusses his struggles with alcoholism and how it impacted his marriage and family life.
Marriage and Challenges
Hopkins and Barker married in 1967, during which time Hopkins was a heavy drinker. Their marriage was troubled from the start due to "opposing personalities and my alcoholism," which Hopkins admits "doomed the relationship."
- By the time they realized their incompatibility, Barker was pregnant.
- They tried to stay together for the child, but ultimately, the marriage failed.
- Frequent fights arose over Hopkins’s alcoholism and Barker’s feelings about his acting career.
Details of Their Conflict
Hopkins recalls one evening returning home from filming in Scotland, only to be met with sarcasm from Barker, who called him “Mr. Lord High and Mighty.” This moment highlights the deep tensions between them during their marriage.
"Our opposing personalities and my alcoholism doomed the relationship from the start."
"By the time we realized how awful a match we were, Barker was pregnant. We tried to rally for the sake of the child we were about to have, but it was no use. The marriage was a disaster."
Hopkins's Hope
Despite the pain, Hopkins keeps the door open for reconciliation with Abigail, showing a willingness to bridge the gap in their relationship.
Author’s summary: Anthony Hopkins shares the heartbreak caused by his estrangement from daughter Abigail, reflecting on how his alcoholism and difficult marriage shaped their fractured bond.