Anthony Hopkins Reflects on Estrangement from Daughter Abigail
In his new memoir We Did OK, Kid, Anthony Hopkins opens up about his painful estrangement from his daughter, Abigail Hopkins, born from his marriage to British actress Petronella Barker. The actor admits that the distance between them "broke my heart" but says his door remains open to her.
A Family Torn Apart
The two-time Oscar winner, now 87, recalls how his heavy drinking and volatile personality contributed to the collapse of his first marriage to Barker, who is now 83. Despite their efforts to stay together for the sake of their unborn child, the relationship quickly deteriorated.
“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.”
Emotional Aftermath
Hopkins confides that their frequent arguments, fueled by his drinking and Barker’s frustration over his growing career, strained their family life beyond repair. One particularly tense moment came after he returned from filming in Scotland, only to be greeted by Barker’s sarcastic remark calling him “Mr. Lord High and Mighty.”
Moving Forward
Now sober for nearly fifty years, Hopkins reflects with regret but also with acceptance, emphasizing that his door remains open to reconciliation. His memoir portrays a man confronting the consequences of past choices while choosing compassion over bitterness.
Author’s Summary: Anthony Hopkins reveals the emotional toll of his estrangement from daughter Abigail, sharing memories of a turbulent marriage and leaving hope for reconciliation.