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To this day, Hollywood still mourns the tragic passing of Heath Ledger in 2008. Unbeknownst to many, the actor died just four months after his split from ex-fiance, Michelle Williams. The 10 Things I Hate About You star reportedly spiraled into his drug use in fear of losing his daughter Matilda Rose in a messy custody battle. Williams had filed for sole custody due to the late actor's addiction. Here's what really happened to their relationship.
How Did Michelle Williams & Heath Ledger Meet?
The pair started dating in 2004 after meeting on the set of Brokeback Mountain where they played husband and wife. "I remember being in rehearsal, and the two of them had googly eyes with each other," their co-star Jake Gyllenhaal said of them. "Our initial meeting, the circumstances of how we first met, were cosmic or something," Williams told GQ of meeting Ledger. "Yeah, a lot of things happened at once. It's a bit like, we had a lot of things to do because we didn't have a lot of time, or something."
A year later, Williams confirmed that they were expecting a baby girl. "It's strange to watch the film now because it means so much more to me," the actress told People at the time. "I met my husband there, the seed of my daughter was born there — it's just really, really powerful. But I also feel — and Heath and I were just talking about this the other night — that if it hadn't been there we would have met some other way, some other how. It was going to happen."
The Dawson's Creek star went on to describe Ledger as "incredibly protective" for the "little Australian" they were expecting. She also clarified that they were engaged — not married — but that she referred to him as "husband" because "boyfriend" and "partner" didn't sound accurate. "I had a few fantasies about a husband and a wedding when I was a little girl," she explained. "But I'm really happy with things just the way they are right now."
Inside Michelle Williams & Heath Ledger's Marriage
In 2006, Ledger confessed that having their daughter gave him some direction in life. "When Michelle is working, I'm the manny, and when I'm working, she's the nanny," he said, adding that his family is "everything" and "the most important thing" in his life. "Before, I felt like I was floating through life, like a ghost; I may not have even existed," he continued. He also gushed about his wife as a new mother, saying: "Witnessing this innate, primal strength and determination that's injected into women when they have to push out a baby is just the most spectacular thing."
It also seemed like the Dark Knight star was settling into a more domestic lifestyle. "My life right now is … I wouldn't say reduced to food," he said, "but my duties in life are that I wake up, cook breakfast, clean the dishes, prepare lunch, clean those dishes, go to the market, get fresh produce, cook dinner, clean those dishes and then sleep if I can … I love it … I actually adore it." He also said that he was planning to take Matilda to Sydney to "introduce her to the ocean."
"Next year my hope is to spend as much time in Australia as possible … I want to introduce Matilda to the ocean," said the actor, adding that he and Williams weren't rushing to tie the knot. "I really don't feel like I need a piece of paper to validate the love I have for [Michelle]…She's my soulmate and we couldn't love each other any more."
Why Did Michelle Williams & Heath Ledger Break Up?
In 2007, Williams' best friend, Busy Philipps revealed that the couple split up because of their busy schedules. Though she felt like "it wasn't the end of the story for them," she admitted that the two led a "complicated" relationship. "They were so young and that baby was the light of both of their lives. They were just working all the time and it was complicated," said the White Chicks star. "S*** is always complicated. Especially when you’re twenty-eight. And movie stars. With a baby."
Another friend close to the couple said that the pair grew apart due to Ledger's increased partying and drug use. "In the end, there were too many differences. She kind of turned her head to those at the beginning, but when Matilda was born was really when she started to reevaluate things," said the insider. Another one said: "I don’t think they fell out of love; it was probably tough love." Ledger's friend, Terry Gilliam said that his friend spiraled out of control when Williams filed for sole custody in 2007 over his drug use.
In January 2008, the actor passed away from an overdose of medications. "Every time I really miss him and wonder where he's gone, I just look at her," Williams said of their daughter in 2009. She also makes sure to keep his memory alive for their Matilda. "I always say to Matilda, 'Your dad loved me before anybody thought I was talented, or pretty, or had nice clothes,'" she told Vanity Fair in 2018. "When you're a single parent, and that element of provider and protection is missing, it's scary."