Heath Ledger’s Legacy Lives On Through Daughter Matilda 17 Years After His Death

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. — Seventeen years after his tragic death, Heath Ledger‘s legacy continues through his daughter Matilda, now 19, and his enduring impact on Hollywood. The Australian actor, known for iconic roles in *The Dark Knight*, *Brokeback Mountain*, and *10 Things I Hate About You*, died of an accidental overdose on January 22, 2008, at the age of 28.

Ledger’s relationship with actress Michelle Williams, whom he met on the set of *Brokeback Mountain* in 2004, was a defining chapter of his life. The couple welcomed Matilda on October 28, 2005, in New York City. “Matilda is adorable, and beautifully observant and wise,” Ledger told *InTouch* in 2005, per *People*. “Michelle and I love her so much. Becoming a father exceeds all my expectations.”

Despite their split in September 2007, Ledger and Williams remained close, united by their love for Matilda. Williams, now 44, has since remarried and expanded her family, but she has ensured Matilda remains connected to her father’s memory. Jeremy Strong, a close friend of Williams and a star of *Succession*, played a significant role in Matilda’s upbringing after Ledger’s death. “[Matilda] didn’t grow up with her father, but she grew up with her Jeremy,” Williams said in 2022.

Ledger’s family, including his parents Kim and Sally Ledger and his sisters Kate, Olivia, and Ashleigh, have also remained a steadfast presence in Matilda’s life. They ensured that Ledger’s estate was passed directly to his daughter. “There was never any question about the fact that Heath’s estate would go to Matilda,” the family stated in 2008.

Today, Matilda is a young adult, carrying forward her father’s legacy. Meanwhile, Williams has built a new life with her husband, director Thomas Kail, and their two children, son Hart and a second child whose details remain private. Despite the passage of time, Ledger’s memory remains vivid, both in Hollywood and in the hearts of those who loved him.