Overview

Hayden Lesley Panettiere, born on August 21, 1989, is an American actress and singer. She began her career at a very young age, appearing in commercials at just 11 months old. She gained early exposure through roles in soap operas like ‘One Life to Live’ and ‘Guiding Light’. Panettiere achieved wider recognition for her role as Claire Bennet, a cheerleader with regenerative abilities, in the NBC superhero series ‘Heroes’ (2006-2010). This role propelled her to international fame. She further solidified her career by starring as Juliette Barnes, a country music singer, in the ABC/CMT musical drama series ‘Nashville’ (2012-2018), earning Golden Globe nominations for her performance. Beyond acting, Hayden has ventured into music, releasing singles and contributing to soundtracks. She has also lent her voice to animated films and video games. Panettiere is also known for her activism, particularly in wildlife and marine conservation.

What Is Hayden Panettiere’s Net Worth?

Hayden Panettiere, a multifaceted American actress, singer, and activist, has accumulated a net worth of $12 million as of 2024. This substantial sum is the result of her diverse career spanning television, film, music, and endorsements.

Early Career and Rise to Prominence

Hayden Panettiere was born on August 21, 1989, in Palisades, New York, to Lesley Vogel, a former soap opera actress, and Alan Lee Panettiere, a fire captain. Her early life was steeped in the entertainment industry, setting the stage for her future career. She initially attended South Orangetown Middle School in New York, but transitioned to homeschooling as her acting career gained momentum.

Panettiere’s acting career began remarkably early, appearing in commercials as an infant. She then secured roles in daytime soap operas such as “One Life to Live” where she played Sarah Roberts from 1994 to 1997, and “Guiding Light” where she portrayed Lizzie Spaulding from 1996 to 2000. These roles provided her with early exposure and experience in the industry.

A notable early role was in the Lifetime TV movie “If You Believe” (1999), which earned her a Young Artist Award nomination. In the early 2000s, she appeared in popular television series like “Malcolm in the Middle” where she played Jessica in 2000 and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” where she played Ashley Friend in 2001. These roles gradually increased her visibility and prepared her for more significant opportunities.

Breakthrough Role in “Heroes”

In 2006, Hayden Panettiere landed one of the lead roles in the NBC sci-fi series “Heroes,” playing Claire Bennet, a high school cheerleader with regenerative healing abilities. This role was a turning point in her career, catapulting her to widespread fame and establishing her as a talented actress in both television and film. “Heroes” aired for four seasons, from 2006 to 2010, during which Panettiere’s salary increased significantly as her character became a fan favorite.

While specific salary figures for “Heroes” are not publicly available, it is estimated that Panettiere earned a substantial amount per episode, particularly in the later seasons, reflecting her importance to the show. Her performance in “Heroes” earned her several Teen Choice Awards nominations for Choice TV Actress: Drama/Action Adventure. It also opened up numerous opportunities in both television and film.

Starring Role in “Nashville”

Following the conclusion of “Heroes,” Panettiere secured another lead role in the ABC/CMT musical drama series “Nashville,” playing Juliette Barnes, a country music singer. “Nashville” aired for six seasons, from 2012 to 2018. This role further solidified her career and earned her critical acclaim and multiple award nominations.

Panettiere’s portrayal of Juliette Barnes earned her two Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film in 2013 and 2014, and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2013. Her salary for “Nashville” was reportedly around $75,000 to $100,000 per episode, making it a significant source of her income during that period.

In addition to acting, Panettiere performed numerous songs as part of her role in “Nashville.” These songs were released as singles and featured on the show’s soundtrack albums, further contributing to her income and visibility as a singer. The “Nashville” soundtracks were commercially successful, with several albums reaching the top of the Billboard charts.

Film Career and Voice Acting

Hayden Panettiere’s career in film began at a young age with a voice role in the 1998 animated film “A Bug’s Life.” She provided the voice of Dot, the younger sister of Princess Atta. Over the next few years, she continued to appear in popular films, including a role as Sheryl Yoast in “Remember the Titans” (2000) which grossed over $136 million worldwide, Sarah Davis in “Raising Helen” (2004) alongside Kate Hudson, and Britanny Allen in “Bring It On: All or Nothing” (2006).

In 2009, she starred in “I Love You, Beth Cooper,” a teen comedy that, while not a critical success, provided her with another leading role. In the same year, she starred as Amanda Knox in “Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy,” a made-for-television movie based on the true story of the controversial murder trial. In 2011, she played Kirby Reed in “Scream 4,” a role that showcased her versatility in the horror genre. She also reprised her voice acting skills in “Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil” in 2012.

Singing and Modeling Career

Hayden Panettiere has also pursued a career in music, recording several songs that appeared in films and television series in which she acted. She was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1999 for her vocal work in “A Bug’s Life,” specifically for the song “My Funny Friend and Me.”

Panettiere collaborated with Disney on multiple occasions, recording songs for various Disney films, including “Tiger Cruise” (2004), “Ice Princess” (2005), and “Cinderella III: A Twist in Time” (2007). She also recorded several singles for the show “Nashville,” which appeared on the show’s soundtrack albums. Some of her notable singles from “Nashville” include “Telescope” and “Nothing in This World Will Ever Break My Heart Again.”

In addition to her acting and singing career, Panettiere has appeared in several advertising campaigns as a model. In 2006, she was selected by Neutrogena to be their cover girl for a worldwide advertising campaign. This partnership significantly increased her visibility and exposure to a broader audience.

In 2008, she partnered with Kohl’s and their clothing brand Candie’s to be the official spokesperson. This partnership involved appearing in advertising campaigns and promoting Candie’s products in various media. From 2007 to 2008, she also worked with Dooney & Burke, designing limited-edition handbags and appearing in their magazine advertisements.

Activism

Hayden Panettiere has devoted a significant amount of her time to advocating for the protection of dolphins and whales. In 2007, she joined The Whaleman Foundation to protest a dolphin hunt in Japan. Her involvement led to a confrontation that was captured in the award-winning film “The Cove.” She has also personally contacted the Norwegian and Japanese ambassadors to the United States to advocate for an end to whale hunting.

To raise money for the Save the Whales Again campaign, Panettiere participated in an eBay auction that included a whale-watching trip with her and tickets to a fundraising dinner. Her activism extends to political engagement as well. She has encouraged young people to vote and vocalized her support for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election. She has also been outspoken about preventing teen pregnancy and, in 2020, began advocating for victims of domestic violence.

Personal Life and Relationships

Hayden Panettiere’s personal life has been subject to media attention. She dated her “Heroes” co-star, Milo Ventimiglia, from 2007 to 2009. In 2009, she met Ukrainian world heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko after they were both featured in a mutual acquaintance’s book, “Room 23.” They began dating that year but split in 2011, remaining friends.

The couple reconciled and began dating again in 2013, announcing their engagement the same year. In 2014, they had a daughter together. Following the birth of her daughter, Panettiere experienced postpartum depression, for which she sought treatment. Klitschko and Panettiere remained engaged but ultimately did not marry, officially ending their relationship in 2018 while maintaining good terms.

Shortly after, Panettiere began dating actor Brian Hickerson. Their relationship was tumultuous, with Hickerson arrested in 2019 on domestic violence charges and later released on bail. He was arrested again in 2020 and charged with domestic battery and interference with a police officer. The police responded to a complaint in Jackson, Wyoming, following an alleged disturbance between Hickerson and Panettiere, during which Panettiere suffered several bodily injuries. The couple broke up following Hickerson’s arrest, and Panettiere has since become vocal about the abuse she endured in the relationship. She has taken a hiatus from the spotlight to focus on her personal life and recovery.

Real Estate Investments

In March 2008, Hayden Panettiere purchased a mid-century modern home in the Hollywood Hills for $2.635 million. She sold this property in March 2014 for $3.075 million, realizing a profit of $440,000 on the sale.

In 2012, Panettiere bought a newly constructed home in Nashville. She sold this home in October 2018 for $1.65 million. The purchase price of the Nashville property was not publicly available, making it difficult to assess the profitability of this investment.

© 2025 Net Worth Ranker / All Rights Reserved