Hayden Panettiere has shared her journey of healing following the tragic loss of her brother, Jansen Panettiere, who passed away unexpectedly in 2023 due to complications from an enlarged heart. In an interview as the new cover star of People magazine, she expressed the profound impact of his death, describing it as losing “half of my soul.”
Jansen was her only sibling, and she felt a deep responsibility to protect him. “I will always be heartbroken about it,” she reflected, acknowledging that the pain of his absence is something she will never fully overcome.
Panettiere also discussed the physical toll that grief took on her body, recounting how she gained 40 pounds due to stress and high cortisol levels after his passing. She faced challenges with self-esteem and experienced agoraphobia, made more difficult by intrusive paparazzi photos taken during her brother’s funeral.
In her journey towards recovery, Panettiere collaborated with personal trainer Marnie Alton, who not only helped her regain fitness but also provided emotional support. Their sessions included both workouts and meaningful conversations, allowing Panettiere to process her feelings.
Now, nearly two years after her brother’s death, she reported feeling more like herself again and expressed a sense of contentment focused on her daughter, Kaya. Panettiere shared her pride in Kaya’s many talents, including golfing, chess, dancing, and singing.
Additionally, she is working on an autobiography that she hopes will reveal her true self. Though she continues to miss her brother, she finds comfort in the belief that he is always with her.