Anthony Hopkins reveals deep regret over 'cold' estrangement from daughter Abigail in new memoir

Anthony Hopkins Reflects on Estrangement from Daughter in New Memoir

Anthony Hopkins opens his heart about long-held regrets surrounding his estrangement from his daughter, Abigail, in his new memoir released on November 4, 2025. The acclaimed Welsh-born actor, now 87, offers raw confessions about family fractures and the grip of alcoholism that shaped much of his early life.

A Life Marked by Regret

The two-time Oscar winner admits that facing painful truths on screen was easier than doing so in his own life. In the memoir We Did OK, Kid, Hopkins calls his separation from Abigail his greatest personal regret. He reveals he left his first wife, Petronella Barker, and their infant daughter when his drinking spiraled beyond control.

“Abigail never seemed able to forgive me for leaving the family when she was a baby.”
“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.”

Hopkins describes himself as “a cold fish,” shaped by early emotional defenses, and refuses to shift blame for the pain he caused. He openly accepts that his daughter's resentment was warranted.

Brief Reconnection and Silence

In the 1990s, father and daughter briefly reconnected. Abigail appeared in his films Shadowlands and The Remains of the Day, hinting at potential healing. However, the renewed bond faded again, leaving decades of quiet distance between them.

Honesty Turned Inward

Throughout his career, Hopkins was known for inhabiting complex characters unafraid of truth. Now, in his elder years, he directs that same honesty toward his own past, publicly acknowledging both his failures and a lasting sense of sorrow.

Author’s Summary: Hopkins’ memoir reveals a moving confession of paternal regret and emotional honesty from one of cinema’s most celebrated figures, still seeking peace with his past.

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Red94 Red94 — 2025-11-07

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