In 2008, the entire globe was rocked by actor Heath Ledger’s sad passing. It’s tough to believe, but it has been over 16 years since the gifted Australian star left us and caused a worldwide sense of loss.
We still don’t know exactly why 28-year-old Heath Ledger fell into such a dark place, but one thing is clear: he adored his daughter, Matilda, more than anything else.
If he could see how she is today and what she looks like now, I’m sure Heath would be super proud of her..
Sister inspired him
Heath Ledger’s acting skills took him from school plays in Western Australia to some of the biggest films in the world. Even though he passed away at just 28 years old, Heath achieved more than many actors do in their whole lives.
He was born in 1979 in Perth, Australia. His mother taught French while his father was a race car driver and mining engineer. From an early age, Heath showed interest in acting and had raw talent.
Heath was also very close with his older sister who encouraged him to follow his dreams of acting. As a handsome twenty-year-old actor , he quickly made an impact after moving to Los Angeles.
His big break came with the romantic comedy 10 Things I Hate About You back in ’99. The next year , this charming Aussie received praise for his role in The Patriot, which became quite popular.
But it took several years before he got cast for the film that truly changed everything for him.
Meeting Michelle Williams
When offered the part as Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain back in ’04 , Heath almost said no . But after encouragement from then-girlfriend Naomi Watts , he decided to take on that challenge .
That choice led to many changes.
First off all , his performance as Ennis Del Mar—the tough cowboy from Wyoming—became one of those roles that defined his career.
While filming , he fell head over heels for actress Michelle Williams .Sparks ignited when the two met while filming Brokeback Mountain in the summer of 2004; Michelle portrayed Alma, the spouse of Heath Ledger’s character.
Years later, director Ang Lee shared that their love story started when Michelle Williams was taken to the hospital on her first day of shooting. She had hurt her knee and it seems Heath Ledger held her hand all the way there. He “tried to comfort her and it was pretty clear he was interested in her,” Lee told USA Today.
The two actors grew very close throughout making this famous film. Actually, Heath and Michelle lived in a small trailer van while recording.
“It was really beautiful. Yeah it was super romantic. We were suddenly thrown into a little husband-wife situation. Our bed honestly wasn’t bigger than that tiny round table there. My legs would hang off this far at the end but it was worth it! And somehow comfortable,” Heath told journalist Christine Spines back in 2005.
Ledger had fallen head over heels for Williams who is one year younger than him! It didn’t take long before they began planning their future together.
“We talked about having kids very early on! I have always known I wanted to be a young father,” Ledger said according to an Australian site News.
Stay-at-home daddy
One year after they started dating Matilda Rose Ledger arrived on October 28th, 2005 just before Brokeback Mountain hit theaters!
Bruce Glikas / FilmMagicFour months after his daughter’s birth Heath chose to be a stay-at-home dad so that Michelle could focus on acting!
“I’m going to try not working at all this year and let Michelle bring home money! I’ll be Mr Mom! It’s something really important for me – every dad should do his best if he can!” said Heath and continued:
“My life right now isn’t just about food but my duties are waking up cooking breakfast cleaning dishes preparing lunch cleaning those dishes going shopping getting fresh food cooking dinner cleaning those dishes then sleeping if possible! And I love it!! I actually adore being a dad.”
Becoming a father went beyond all of Heath’s expectations; he once mentioned that it was “the most amazing experience I’ve ever had.”Matilda is super cute, and really observant and smart. Michelle and I care for her a lot. Being a dad goes beyond what I thought it would be. It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced — it’s fantastic,” Ledger mentioned in 2005.
At the same time, he felt mixed emotions when talking about what it means to be 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 time, you don’t want to die because you want to be there for all of her life,” Ledger said after Matilda was born.
In 2007, Ledger and Williams chose to end their three-year relationship but stayed close friends until Ledger’s sad passing.
When he died, Matilda was only two years old; so Williams made sure she stayed out of the public eye as much as possible.
The actress herself loved making small independent films; she was in Sweden working on the movie *Mammut* when she found out about Ledger’s death: “Please respect our need to grieve privately,” Williams stated at that time.
“My heart is shattered. I’m the mother of an incredibly sweet-hearted & lively little girl who looks just like her dad. All I can hold onto is his spirit inside her that shows every day. His family & I watch Matilda talk to trees, hug animals & take steps two at a time; we know he’s still with us. She will grow up with wonderful memories of him.”
In November 2016, Williams gave a rare interview where she talked about raising Matilda without her father.
“In all honesty for almost everything else; I believe in not fighting situations but accepting where you are,” said Williams.
She added: “In almost every way except one; I’d totally go along that line if it weren’t for Matilda not having her dad. You know that’s just something that doesn’t… It just won’t ever feel right.”
Matildas family tried hard to keep her away from fame during growing up years but now pictures have started appearing online.
Today she’s a lovely sixteen-year-old who seems to have inherited some of her father’s “energy.” A few years back photos surfaced showing how much she resembles him while traveling with Michelle.
Recent images show she’s truly the spitting image of Heath! Actually she’s an amazing blend of both talented parents.
“She has tons of energy,” says Kim Ledger , Heath’s own father .“She has a huge amount of his habits. She’s really curious, she has his energy, because Heath never rested since he was two and Matilda is like that. She is this tiny ball of energy and she gives off this little glow,” Kim shared with Channel Ten’s The Project in an earlier interview.
Net worth
After Heath passed away, the family confirmed that Matilda would receive all of Heath’s wealth. The actor’s fortune is thought to be around $20 million. In his will, he left the money to his parents and three sisters.
However, that will was written back in 2003 – two years before Matilda Rose was even born. But Heath’s dad, Kim, mentioned that the family does not plan to keep the money for themselves. Every cent of Ledger’s wealth will go to his daughter and will be saved until she grows up.
Matilda Ledger today
Currently ,Matilda lives in Brooklyn ,New York,and she’s been brought up by Michelle.
Her mom is now married to American theater director Thomas Kail,and her godfather is Jake Gyllenhaal,the well-known actor who starred with Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger in Brokeback Mountain.
She has mostly lived away from the spotlight,but sometimes photographers spot her walking around New York,often with her mother.
In2020 ,Matilda became a big sister when her mom had a baby with Thomas Kail.
Of course,M atildaisher own person.Buther parents are great.I’m sure she takes after bothand I’m sure they are very proudofthe young lady she’s become.
