When she was merely two, this girl lost her renowned father. As he hadn’t included her in his will, kind-hearted donors contributed money to help her out
In 2008, the entire world was deeply affected by the tragic passing of actor Heath Ledger. It’s hard to fathom, but over 16 years have elapsed since the talented Australian actor left us, leaving the global community in mourning.
The reasons behind Heath Ledger’s descent into such turmoil at the age of 28 remain unclear. However, one undeniable fact is his profound love for his daughter, Matilda, which surpassed everything else in his life.
If Heath could witness Matilda’s growth and see who she has become today, I’m absolutely certain he would be immensely proud of his daughter…
Sister Inspired Him
Heath Ledger’s acting journey took him from participating in school plays in Western Australia to starring in some of the most significant films globally. Despite his short life, Heath achieved more than many actors do in an entire career.
Born in 1979 in Perth, Australia, Heath was raised by a French teacher mother and a father who was both a racing car driver and a mining engineer. From a young age, Heath showed a natural affinity for acting, showcasing his raw talent early on.
Heath shared a close bond with his older sister, who inspired him to pursue acting as a career. As a charismatic twenty-year-old actor, he quickly made his mark after relocating to Los Angeles.
His breakthrough role came with the romantic comedy “10 Things I Hate About You” in 1999. Just a year later, the handsome Australian actor gained acclaim for his memorable performance in the blockbuster film “The Patriot.”
However, it would take a few more years before Heath landed the role that would forever change his life.
Meeting Michelle Williams
When Heath Ledger was offered the role of Ennis Del Mar in “Brokeback Mountain” in 2004, he almost declined the opportunity. However, encouraged by his then-girlfriend, Naomi Watts, he decided to take the role.
This decision had profound implications.
Firstly, his portrayal of Ennis Del Mar, the reserved and rugged cowboy from Wyoming, became a defining moment in Heath Ledger’s career.
The chemistry between Heath and Michelle Williams ignited during the production of “Brokeback Mountain” in the summer of 2004. Michelle portrayed Alma, the wife of Heath Ledger’s character.
While filming, Heath fell in love with actress Michelle Williams.
Years later, director Ang Lee revealed that their love story began when Michelle Williams was sent to the hospital on the first day of shooting the movie. She had twisted her knee, and Heath Ledger was by her side, holding her hand all the way to the hospital. “He tried to comfort her, and it was pretty obvious he was interested in her,” Lee told USA Today.
The two actors grew very close during the making of the iconic film. In fact, Heath and Michelle shared the same small trailer van while filming.
“It was really beautiful. Yeah, it was very romantic. We were suddenly thrown into a little husband-wife situation. Our bed, honestly, was no bigger than that little round table there. My legs would hang off this far at the end. But it was worth it. And it was comfortable, somehow,” Heath told journalist Christine Spines in 2005.
Heath had fallen deeply in love with Michelle, who is a year his junior. It wasn’t long before the couple began planning their future together.
“We talked about having children very early. I have always known that I wanted to become a young father,” Ledger said in an interview, as reported by the Australian site News.
Stay-at-Home Daddy
One year after Heath and Michelle began dating, Matilda Rose Ledger was born on October 28, 2005. She entered the world just before the premiere of “Brokeback Mountain.”
Four months after Matilda’s birth, Heath chose to become a stay-at-home dad, allowing Michelle to concentrate on her acting career.
“I’m going to try not to work at all this year and send Michelle out to bring in the cash. I’ll be Mr. Mom. It’s something that’s very important to me – something that every dad, if he can, should do his best to achieve,” Heath stated, adding:
“My life right now is, I wouldn’t say reduced to food, but my duties in life are that I wake up, cook breakfast, clean the dishes, prepare lunch, clean those dishes, go to the market, get fresh produce, cook dinner, clean those dishes and then sleep if I can. And I love it. I actually adore it.”
Becoming a father surpassed all of Heath’s expectations, and he once described it as “the most remarkable experience I’ve ever had.”
“Matilda is adorable, and beautifully observant and wise. Michelle and I love her so much. Becoming a father exceeds all my expectations. It’s the most remarkable experience I’ve ever had — it’s marvelous,” Ledger said in 2005.
At the same time, Heath had conflicting emotions when discussing the broader implications of becoming a father and provider for his child.
“It’s like a Catch-22: I feel good about dying now because I feel like I’m alive in her, you know, but at the same hand, you don’t want to die because you want to be around for the rest of her life,” Ledger expressed after Matilda’s birth.
In 2007, Heath and Michelle decided to end their three-year relationship, choosing to part ways amicably. Despite the breakup, the former couple remained close friends until Heath’s untimely and tragic death.
At the time of Heath’s passing, his daughter Matilda was only two years old. Consequently, Michelle ensured that Matilda remained out of the public eye, keeping her away from the press.
The actress, who prefers working on small-scale independent films, was in Sweden filming for the movie “Mammut” when she received the devastating news of Heath’s death. “Please respect our need to grieve privately,” Williams requested at the time.
“My heart is broken. I am the mother of the most tender-hearted, high-spirited, beautiful little girl who is the spitting image of her father. All that I can cling to is his presence inside her that reveals itself every day. His family and I watch Matilda as she whispers to trees, hugs animals, and takes steps two at a time, and we know that he is with us still. She will be brought up in the best memories of him.”
In November 2016, Michelle Williams gave a rare interview where she spoke about raising Matilda without her father.
“In all honesty, for pretty much everything else, I feel like I’m a believer in not fighting circumstances, accepting where you are and where you’ve been,” Williams shared.
She continued: “In pretty much all senses but one, I would be able to go totally down that line of thinking were it not for Matilda not having her dad. You know, that’s just something that doesn’t… I mean, it just won’t ever be right.”
Matilda’s family made efforts to keep her away from the spotlight during her early years. However, recently, photos of the young girl have started appearing online.
Today, Matilda is a stunning 16-year-old teenager who evidently inherits her father’s “energy.” A few years ago, images of her on a trip with her mother emerged, showcasing her striking resemblance to her Oscar-winning father.
Recent pictures of Matilda highlight that she truly is the spitting image of her late father. In reality, she embodies the best qualities of both her immensely talented parents.
“She has a lot of energy,” says Kim Ledger, Heath’s father.
“She’s got an enormous number of his mannerisms. She’s very inquisitive, she’s got his energy, cause Heath never slept from when he was two and Matilda’s like that. She is this little ball of energy and she radiates this little aura,” Kim told Channel Ten’s The Project in a past interview.
Net Worth
Following Heath’s passing, the family announced that Matilda would inherit his entire fortune, which is estimated to be around $20 million. In his will, Heath left his wealth to his parents and three sisters.
However, this will was written in 2003—two years before Matilda Rose was born. Heath’s father, Kim, has stated that the family does not plan to keep the money for themselves. Every penny of Ledger’s estate will be allocated to his daughter and will be held until she reaches adulthood.
Matilda Ledger Today
Matilda currently resides in Brooklyn, New York, where she has been raised by her mother, Michelle.
Michelle is now married to American theatre director Thomas Kail, and Matilda’s godfather is Jake Gyllenhaal, the renowned actor who co-starred with Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger in “Brokeback Mountain.”
Matilda has mostly stayed out of the public eye, but occasionally, photographers capture her on the streets of New York, often accompanied by her mother.
In 2020, Matilda became a big sister when her mother welcomed a child with Thomas Kail.
Of course, Matilda is her own person, but her parents are remarkable individuals. I’m sure she inherits the best from both, and both are undoubtedly proud of the young woman she has become!
