When Hollywood star Heath Ledger passed away in 2008, his daughter Matilda was devastated and left out of his will. Ledger, known for playing The Joker in “The Dark Knight,” had met Michelle Williams during the filming of “Brokeback Mountain” in 2004. They had Matilda in 2005 but separated in 2007. Despite the separation, Ledger remained a devoted father.
Ledger’s sudden death left Matilda without her father or financial support. His co-stars from “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” — Jude Law, Johnny Depp, and Colin Farrell — stepped in, donating their salaries to her. Director Terry Gilliam noted, “They wanted to make sure the film was finished in his memory.”
Ledger’s will, written before Matilda’s birth, left his estate to his parents and sisters. His father, Kim Ledger, later announced the family would gift everything to Matilda. This decision led to a family dispute, but the will’s executor supported Kim, calling the accusations against him rubbish.
Matilda, now 17, has grown to resemble her father in both looks and mannerisms. Her grandfather Kim said, “She’s got an enormous number of his mannerisms. She’s very inquisitive. She’s got his energy.” Michelle Williams has been praised for raising Matilda and keeping Ledger’s memory alive. His sister, Kate Ledger, shared, “I tell her about her daddy every time we see each other. I tell her little stories of him growing up.”
Despite her famous parents, Matilda maintains a low profile, with rare photos of her in public.