Hayden Panettiere was 36 years old when she was found dead in an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina.
Authorities have not determined the cause of her death, but ruled out signs of violence.
Before that, there was an interview in 2015 in which she decided to share what few actresses dared to say out loud. After the birth of her daughter Kaya in December 2014— a delivery that left her on the brink of death, with seven blood transfusions and emergency surgery—she was diagnosed with postpartum depression.
On ‘Live with Kelly and Michael’ she put it into words: “You don’t realize how broad the spectrum is in which you can actually experience postpartum depression. Women need to know that they are not alone and that this can be cured”.
That honesty cost her dearly: Neutrogena canceled a decade-long contract with her because of a morality clause.
Postpartum depression affects 1 in 7 women.
Hayden decided that her pain would help others feel less alone.