Almost nine years after his death, Michelle Williams has given a candid interview about life without Heath Ledger.
The beloved Australian actor died after an accidental overdose in 2008, leaving Michelle to raise their daughter Matilda on her own.
“I feel like I’m a believer in not fighting circumstances, accepting where you are and where you’ve been. In pretty much all senses but one,” the actress tells Porter magazine.
“I would be able to go totally down that line of thinking were it not for Matilda not having her dad. You know that’s just something that doesn’t … I mean, it just won’t ever be right.”
In her new film, Manchester By The Sea, Michelle plays a heartbroken mother trying to rebuild her life, which she admits was a tough character to take on.
“I couldn’t stop crying,” she told the magazine. “It’s like the darkest part of your heart, something happening to your child … She’s making a brave choice, moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day. Because it is a choice. I would exit. It would be so much easier than living with the loss.”
Despite maintaining a successful career, Michelle says Matilda, who is now 11, is always her main focus and just trying to make sure she’s happy.
“I watched [Matilda] warm in the sun, in her swimsuit, get on her bicycle and smile and wave as she rode off to go meet her friends,” she said.
“I went back into the house and sobbed because of this incredibly simple moment ― common everyday happiness. I really felt like in that moment, like wow, we’ve done it. Not only are we OK, she’s happy. Life has brought us to a place that’s not just surviving, but thriving.”
