Michelle Williams: Matilda Reminds Me Of Heath Everday
September 16th, 2009
More than a year after his tragic death, Michelle Williams opens up about losing Heath Ledger.
“I didn’t know what my boundaries were for a long time, which made interviews feel very unsafe,” Michelle, 29, shared in Vogue’s October issue (on newsstands now) about Heath, who died of an accidental drug overdose at the age of 28 in January 2008.
She added: “I can talk about grief because that’s mine, about single parenting, about trying to balance work and kids. But what I don’t have to talk about is what happened between Heath and me in our relationship.”
Michelle and Heath, who met while filming Brokeback Mountain, dated for three years before they amicably split in August 2007. They had a daughter, Matilda Rose, 3.
“Brokeback Mountain was an unrepeatable moment in time, a very charmed time in my life,” she told Vogue. “I was in love. I was in a movie I was proud to be a part of, and with a beautiful brand-new baby. Everything was good in that moment.”
When he died, she struggled to cope.
“I was holding it together by a string and a paper clip in the fall and winter,” she said. “I didn’t know if I could keep it all together… You console yourself by saying it’s all a deepening process. But it’s wired. After the first year, the pain is less intense — it’s less immediate. But the magical thinking goes away too. And that’s a whole new reckoning.”
Still, Matilda provided her strength.
“Every time I really miss him and wonder where he’s gone, I just look at her,” she said.
In July 2008, she began dating director Spike Jonze but admits it hasn’t been easy.
“I thought falling in love again was the only thing that was going to save me from the pain,” she lamented. “This erroneous idea: It just makes things more complicated.”
Of the future, she said: “I feel hopeful and grateful. For a while I thought we had lost everything. It makes you want to love better and live better.”
Entry Filed under: Michelle Williams & Heath Ledger
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1. Honey | September 16th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Oh yeah, we really know how CELEBS are in ‘love’ with their spouses! LOL
2. morvicaud | September 16th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
I still don’t know how you can seperate from somebody you love so much … I just don’t get it.
3. hkd | September 16th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Her interview comes across as though they were in a relationship still when he died. I feel she must have viewed him as a dear friend when he died and father to their lovely daughter – but to maintain she was barley holding it together after he died is a bit far fetched in my opinion. Very sad for Matilda though.
4. Kelli | September 16th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
My understanding is that this couple had some unfinished business. And yes it is indeed possible to have trouble with a relationship even with someone you love very much. And the way his family very much treated (treats?) her like his unspoken widow, my guess is that he died loving her too.
5. sarah | September 17th, 2009 at 12:29 am
jeez, what is wrong with you people? you have no right to judge. She is a caring, beautiful woman and an amazing mother. Maybe she didn’t want to split with Heath – maybe she loved him all along – which is perfectly understandable.
6. nicole | September 17th, 2009 at 5:20 am
She is a beautigul girl
But this cover makes her looked not good……
7. morvicaud | September 17th, 2009 at 8:52 am
The only one judging here Sarah is you judging us. The rest of ud is just wondering :-/
8. Dnice | September 17th, 2009 at 9:26 am
From what I understand, Heath was reverting back to his old ways (meaning drugs & partying) which is what caused the initial seperation. He went from being a bachelor to being a father with responsibilities in a short amount of time. It’s not hard to believe that maybe the routine of domestic bliss was a struggle for him. He was leading a life that wasn’t healthy for Michelle or Mathilda but they were still in love when he died. I can see how she felt like she was hanging on by a string. She lost the father of her child and the love of her life in a time when they were taking a break. There are probably as many unanswered questions for her as there were for Heath’s fans. I am glad she is doing better and able to communicate her feelings now. I wish her and Mathilda the best.
9. Tia :) | September 17th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Dnice- I couldn’t have said it better myself. Nicely put :)
10. All Women Stalker | September 17th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Well said, Dnice. I’m happy that she seems to be in a better place now.
-meream
11. marti | September 17th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
GF, needs to lighten her eyebrows along w/her hair.
12. Granny | September 17th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
My son who has been divorced for over 10 years says you never really get over your first true love. In spite of divorce or in Michelle’s case death, maybe my son is correct.
And when you have a child(ren) there is always a connection.
13. Michelle Williams: Matild&hellip | September 24th, 2009 at 9:17 am
[...] Now that her relationship with Spike Jonze has come to an end and Michelle Williams has had some time to reflect, she’s ready to talk more about Heath Ledger, Spike and how much Matilda reminds her of her fat…. [...]