Matilda Ledger, the daughter of Michelle Williams and the late Heath Ledger, is the focus of attention in the world of Hollywood. With her father’s tragic passing at a young age, he left behind a legacy as an Oscar-winning actor, known for his remarkable performances in iconic films such as ’10 Things I Hate About You’ and ‘The Dark Knight’. Matilda’s mother, a highly acclaimed actress with four Oscar nominations, has also made a name for herself in movies like ‘Blue Valentine’ and ‘Manchester by the Sea’. Even as an infant, Matilda made her television debut on the popular series ‘VH1: All Access’. The profound love her father had for her is beautifully depicted in the documentary ‘I am Heath Ledger’. Matilda Ledger is undoubtedly a rising star in her own right, carrying the legacy of her talented parents.
Quick Facts
- Age: 18 Years
- Family: Father – Heath Ledger, Mother – Michelle Williams
- Family Members
- American Women
- City: New York City
- U.S. State: New Yorkers
Rise to Stardom
Matilda Ledger, as a celebrity kid, has grown up in the spotlight with the constant attention of the paparazzi. Unfortunately, her father’s untimely death when she was only two years old did not help her mother in shielding her from the media. The controversy surrounding her status in her father’s will further dragged her into the speculations and conspiracy theories surrounding his death. However, her mother made efforts to keep her out of the spotlight and requested privacy to grieve after Heath’s passing.
Interestingly, Matilda has made regular appearances in tabloids over the years due to her striking resemblance to her late father. Michelle, her mother, even mentioned in a statement following Heath’s death that Matilda was the spitting image of him. In a documentary about Heath’s life, his sister Kate also commented on how everything Matilda does reminds her of her father. Even after ten years, the press continues to gush over how closely the 12-year-old resembles Heath.
Controversies & Scandals
At the age of two, Matilda became the center of a controversy surrounding her father’s will. The will, prepared in 2003 before her birth, did not include her or her mother, Michelle Williams. This led to press reports about her access to her father’s financial legacy. Heath’s father, Kim Ledger, addressed the media and stated that he considered his granddaughter’s financial well-being an “absolute priority.” He assured that Matilda and Michelle would be taken care of, as that is what Heath would have wanted. Kim later revealed that the family had gifted Heath’s multi-million dollar estate to Matilda.
Personal Life
Matilda Rose Ledger was born on October 28, 2005, in New York City to actors Michelle Williams and the late Heath Ledger. Her parents fell in love on the set of ‘Brokeback Mountain’, which was released three months after her birth. They first met on the set of ‘Ned Kelly’ in 2003. Matilda is the granddaughter of Kim Ledger and Sally Bell, and she has an aunt named Kate Ledger.
Her father tragically passed away on January 22, 2008, due to an overdose of prescription drugs. At the time of his death, he and Michelle had separated amicably and were not romantically involved. Matilda’s name, ‘(The) Militant Rose’, holds special meaning. Her godparents are Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath’s co-star in ‘Brokeback Mountain’, and Busy Philipps, whom Michelle met on the set of ‘Dawson’s Creek’ in 2001.
Father’s Lullaby
Matilda’s father, Heath Ledger, was not only an exceptional actor but also had a passion for photography, chess, and music. He co-founded the record label, Masses Music, with Ben Harper, an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Before Matilda’s birth, Heath sent a grand piano as a gift to Ben and asked him to compose a lullaby that he would sing to his daughter once she was born. The song, ‘Happy Ever After In Your Eyes’, expressed the love he had for his little girl from a doting father’s perspective. This detail was revealed by Ben in the 2017 documentary, ‘I am Heath Ledger’. Matilda, who was 11 years old at the time, expressed curiosity about her late father and was eager to watch the documentary once her mother, Michelle Williams, approved of it.