Heath Ledger’s daughter Matilda Ledger is reportedly planning an extended holiday in Australia so she can meet her late father’s family before she goes to college.
Matilda, 17, whose mother is Oscar-nominated actress Michelle Williams, was raised in America after Heath died of an accidental prescription drug overdose in 2008.
Heath’s parents, who live in Western Australia, have said in the past that they would like to see more of Matilda, who they affectionately call their “little New Yorker”.
But with the teen soon to be graduating from high school, she’s reportedly planning a gap year Down Under to “understand the other side of her heritage,” reports New Idea.
“She is dying to take a year off and go to Australia. She wants to see and spend time with Heath’s family before she gets down to serious business at University in America,” a source said.
The magazine reports that Matilda wants to visit Heath’s family in Perth, but her mother Michelle, 42, has some reservations because “it’s just so far away”.
Heath Ledger’s daughter Matilda Ledger is reportedly planning an extended holiday in Australia so she can meet her late father’s family before she goes to college. (She is pictured in New York City on Sunday)
“Matilda understands her mother’s concerns, but she has a deep need to understand the other side of her heritage,” the insider added.
Meanwhile, Heath’s family are said to be “thrilled to the core” at the news of their granddaughter’s planned extended trip Down Under.
After his death in 2008, the Ledgers reportedly transferred all of Heath’s fortune, valued at an estimated $16.3 million, to Matilda.
Matilda, 17, whose mother is Oscar-nominated actress Michelle Williams, was raised in America after Heath (pictured) died of an accidental prescription drug overdose in 2008
Heath’s mom, Sally, told Us Weekly in 2018. “We’ll see [Matilda] next week in New York. So we’ll be there for a few days and see how it’s grown.
“We are in constant contact with Michelle and Matilda and visit them regularly.”
The actor’s sister Kate also said: “I love to tell stories [Matilda] Stories about her father and how he grew up. I think it’s so important for her to have a good sense of where she’s from so she can get to know herself.”
Chron Australia has reached out to Michelle’s representative for comment.
Heath’s only child has held back over the years because her mother Michelle wanted to “keep things real” for her daughter to grow up.
The high schooler, who bears a striking resemblance to her late father, was spotted Sunday in New York City.
Heath’s parents, who live in Western Australia, have said in the past that they would like to see more of Matilda, who they affectionately call their “little New Yorker”. (Pictured left to right: Heath’s relatives Sally Bell, Ashleigh Bell, Kate Ledger and Kim Ledger at the Heath Ledger Scholarship Dinner in West Hollywood, California on June 1, 2017)
The ‘Dark Knight’ actor died at the age of 28 after taking a deadly drug cocktail, leaving behind his then two-year-old daughter Matilda
The ‘Dark Knight’ actor died at the age of 28 after taking a deadly drug cocktail, leaving behind his then two-year-old daughter.
Michelle, who was in a relationship with Heath from 2004 to 2007 after meeting on the set of Brokeback Mountain, decided to keep Matilda out of the spotlight.
The “Blue Valentine” star took a break from the limelight and moved to upstate New York with Matilda after Heath’s death.
Matilda, who bears a striking resemblance to her late father, was spotted Sunday in New York City
Michelle, who was in a relationship with Heath from 2004 to 2007 after meeting on the set of Brokeback Mountain, decided to keep Matilda out of the spotlight after the actor’s death
She previously said the move was due to her desire to provide “a healthy home environment” for her daughter.
She told the New York Post in June 2016, “We moved — we left Brooklyn and lived in the country for six years because it was an unbearable state.”
Years later, Michelle made the decision to return to the Big Apple and bought a property in Brooklyn where she had lived before moving.
Prior to their time in the country, Michelle and Heath previously shared a $3.6 million townhouse in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.
Heath said of Brooklyn in 2006, “I like everything about Brooklyn. I adore it.’
Michelle, who is now married to theater director Thomas Kail, previously spoke of wanting to give Matilda siblings in a 2012 interview with GQ.
She said: “I really wanted, and I really expected or imagined, that Matilda would have siblings around her own age. I wanted this for her. But I couldn’t bring that about.’
“And now that she’s 6, that’s not even possible anymore. Something that was making me impatient has been removed. Whatever the reason, this isn’t our luck or our way.”
Eight years later, however, the actress found her happy ending with Thomas and the couple died tying the knot in 2020.
They had a baby boy later that year, and a second child together in 2022.
Michelle, who is now married to theater director Thomas Kail, previously spoke of wanting to give Matilda siblings in a 2012 interview with GQ