Michelle Williams is an Oscar-nominated actress who was thrusted into the spotlight at a young age. But she has managed to keep her personal life very private even when tragedy struck.
Michelle Williams and Oscar-winning actor Heath Ledger began dating after falling in love on the set of Brokeback Mountain in 2004. In 2005, the two welcomed their first child, Matilda. In late 2007, the couple split and four months later, on January 22, 2008, Ledger would die from an accidental drug overdose at the age of 28.
Matilda had just turned two years old and was now without a father. Williams was heartbroken. In a statement after Ledger's death she wrote, "I am the mother of the most tender-hearted, high-spirited, beautiful little girl who is the spitting image of her father. All that I can cling to is his presence inside her that reveals itself every day."
E! News speculated that Williams was still in love with Ledger when he died and only broke up with him so he could focus on his personal issues. Yet, even with all of the speculation amid the very public tragedy, Williams somehow managed to keep her and her daughter's lives extremely private.
Now the actress, who received Oscar buzz for her role in Manchester by the Sea, opened up about life without Heath Ledger and life as a single mom to Matilda, now 11, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.
Williams confessed that when it was time to move from the home she shared with Ledger, she was very emotional. "I was inconsolable because I felt, ‘How will he be able to find us?’”
Williams, 36, also spoke about focusing on motherhood and putting romance on the back burner. She was dating comedian Jason Segel, but they split in 2016 after a year of dating She has been single ever since, as reported by People.
Although motherhood is her main focus, the Dawson's Creek actress admitted to feeling lonely. However, she wanted to be a dedicated mom for Matilda, despite her hectic work schedule. She described this daily balance saying, “I worry about the next job and when it’s coming and will I be able to get it, but when you’re looking at something, there’s also the criteria of timing, the school calendar, the location, the duration and just where we’re at as a family.”
Despite her tough journey, Williams has been looking ahead.
To read William's full interview, pick up a copy of the February issue of WSJ Magazine when it hits stands on Jan. 28.