Anthony Hopkins Reveals Shocking Reason He Left His First Wife

Anthony Hopkins has opened up about why he left his first wife, revealing that fear of becoming physically violent played a major role in his decision.

The 87-year-old actor, known for iconic roles in The Silence of the Lambs, The Two Popes, Nixon, and The Father, has won numerous awards, including two Oscars and four BAFTAs.

Hopkins’ upcoming memoir, We Did Ok, Kid, shares details about his private life, including his turbulent first marriage to actress Petronella Barker, which lasted from 1967 to 1972.

Writing in the memoir, Hopkins described his struggles with depression and alcohol at the time: “In the evenings, I bought bottles of whiskey at the off-license and took them back to the flat. My depression was boundless; the booze was my pacifier. I brooded. She raged.”

By the time they realized their marriage was not working, Barker was pregnant with their daughter, Abigail. Hopkins admitted he was difficult to live with, saying, “I didn’t know how to cut through, how to become human, how to keep myself from slipping into darkness.”

The couple often fought, but one night things escalated. Hopkins recalled returning home exhausted from a shoot in Scotland, only to be mocked by Barker, which made him fear he might lose control. “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 wrote. He then left the family home after saying goodbye to their 14-month-old daughter.

Hopkins reflected on his decision, saying, “Aside from sending financial support, I didn’t have contact with Petronella and Abigail for a few years after that. It is the saddest fact of my life, and my greatest regret, and yet I feel absolutely sure that it would have been much worse for everyone if I’d stayed.”

After his first marriage, Hopkins wed film production assistant Jennifer Lynton in 1973; they divorced in 2002. He has been married to antiques dealer Stella Arroyave since 2003. Hopkins has spoken about his strained relationship with Abigail, acknowledging it but saying he does not hold resentment:

“Life is painful. Sometimes people get hurt. Sometimes we get hurt. But you can’t live like that. You have to say, Get over it. And if you can’t get over it, fine, good luck to you. I have no judgment. But I did what I could. So that’s it. That’s all I want to say.”

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