Anthony Hopkins Under Fire for ‘Get Over It’ Remark on Relationship With Estranged Daughter

Anthony Hopkins is offering a vulnerable look into his personal life in his new memoir, We Did OK, Kid. The legendary 87-year-old actor uses the book to address the painful, long-standing estrangement from his only daughter, Abigail Hopkins.

The two-time Oscar winner reflects on the moment he walked away from his first wife, Petronella Barker, when Abigail was only 14 months old. Hopkins admits that his heavy drinking and the couple’s volatile personalities made the marriage a disaster from the start.

He recalls returning home from a film set in Scotland to a tense atmosphere that pushed him to his breaking point. I had never been physically violent, but in that moment, I was filled with such revulsion that I became afraid for both myself and her, he writes regarding his final argument with Barker.

Before leaving the house for good, Hopkins went to his daughter’s room to say a silent goodbye. I looked down at her and whispered goodbye. Then I walked back to the hall, picked up my suitcases, and left the house, he remembers in the book.

Hopkins expresses deep remorse for the years of silence that followed, though he maintains that staying in the home would have been more damaging for everyone involved. Abigail never seemed able to forgive me for leaving the family when she was a baby. She had her reasons. I can’t blame her for that, he explains.

The book also addresses a controversial 2018 interview where Hopkins appeared indifferent about whether he had grandchildren. He clarifies that those “cold” comments were a defense mechanism inherited from his own grandfather, though he admits he has no excuse for the way they sounded.

Now sober for nearly fifty years and married to Stella Hopkins since 2003, the actor says he holds no ill will toward his daughter. I hope my daughter knows that my door is always open to her. I want her to be well and happy, he writes, closing a difficult chapter on their history.

“You have to say get over. it. Now, if you can’t get over it, fine. Good luck to you.”

“But I have no judgment. I did what I could. So that’s it.”

When asked if he hopes his daughter reads his book, Anthony responded: “I’m not going to answer that. No, I don’t care… I don’t want to hurt her.”

While his memoir is currently topping bestseller lists, Hopkins remains as active as ever in his professional life. He recently starred in the historical drama One Life, playing Sir Nicholas Winton, and led the cast of the epic Roman gladiator series Those About to Die on Peacock.

The actor has become a social media sensation in recent years, often sharing videos of himself dancing or playing the piano for his fans. His blend of high-brow talent and quirky internet personality has made him a beloved figure across multiple generations of moviegoers.

Between his literary success and his upcoming film slate, Anthony Hopkins continues to navigate his legacy with honesty and creativity. His memoir serves as a final, reflective piece on a life lived in the spotlight, acknowledging both his triumphs on screen and his failures at home.

What do you think about Anthony Hopkins’ decision to be so open about his family regrets in his new book? Share your thoughts in the comments.