NEWSHayden Panettiere Left an Estimated Fortune of $15 Million in Alleged 'Will' After Her Tragic Death, According to Sources
Hayden Panettiere reportedly left behind a $15 million fortune following a Hollywood career that began when she was just an infant.
Aug. 18 2026, Published 3:32 p.m. ET
Hayden Panettiere left behind millions following her sudden death at 36, reports claim.
The Nashville actress, who began her decades-long career in Hollywood as an infant, allegedly left an estimated $15 million fortune, RadarOnline.com reported on Tuesday, August 18.
Inside Hayden Panettiere's Decades-Long Career
Hayden Panettiere began starring in commercials at 11 months old.
Panettiere began her career at just 11 months old when she appeared in a commercial for a Playskool toy train in 1990.
After finding success in soap operas as a young child, she continued to expand her career in both television and movies, starring in breakthrough roles including the musical drama Nashville and the Scream franchise.
Sources told the outlet that she earned an estimated $2 million from Heroes, $9.3 million from Nashville and $1 million from Scream 4.
Hayden Panettiere Died at 36
Hayden Panettiere lost her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, in 2023.
As OK! previously reported, Panettiere died at 36 on Sunday, August 16, after being found unresponsive by an unidentified friend.
The unidentified friend called emergency services at 1:52 p.m., with 911 dispatch audio capturing responders being alerted to an "unidentified female" in "cardiac arrest" following a suspected overdose.
No foul play is suspected in the Heroes star's death, though Narcan, a nasal spray used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, was allegedly found on the scene. TMZ reported that either Panettiere or someone close to her was treated with the medication.
- Hayden Panettiere's Life in Photos: Remembering the Actress After Her Death At 36
- Hayden Panettiere Battled 'Really Severe' Health Issues Before Death, Source Reveals: It Was 'Hard for Her to Move Her Legs'
- Hayden Panettiere's Death: First Look at South Carolina 'Loft' Where Actress Was Found 'Unresponsive' After Suspected 'Overdose' — Photo
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Hayden Panettiere's Ex Boyfriend Was Allegedly With Her at Time of Death
Hayden Panettiere reportedly traveled to South Carolina with Brian Hickerson the day before her death.
Though it's unclear who called 911, Panettiere's mom, Lesley Vogel, later told NBC News that her daughter's on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach, were at the scene when she died.
TMZ previously reported that Panettiere and Hickerson, 37, traveled from Los Angeles to the "south," which was later identified as South Carolina, on August 15.
Hayden Panettiere 'Hid' Reunion With Ex Brian Hickerson, Claims Insiders
Hayden Panettiere reportedly reunited with Brian Hickerson two weeks before her death.
Panettiere and Hickerson dated from 2018 to 2022, with their relationship marked by allegations of domestic violence and abuse.
Page Six reported that Panettiere reconnected with Hickerson about two weeks before her death. They were reportedly in Los Angeles for about a week before they traveled to South Carolina.
"He was supposed to leave, but somehow, they ended up on a flight to South Carolina, where he is from,” the insider told the outlet, adding, "Things did not appear romantic."
A separate insider claimed that Panettiere's inner circle wasn't aware of her recent reconciliation with her ex, telling the outlet, "If Brian was back in her life then it was something she was hiding because she wasn’t speaking about it with many of her friends."
