Hayden Panettiere Engaged 2013: Boyfriend Wladimir Klitschko, Olympic Boxer, Proposes to 'Nashville' Star
Hayden Panettiere, star of Nashville, confirmed her engagement to longtime boyfriend, World heavyweight champion and Olympic boxer Wladimir Klitschko on Live with Kelly and Michael.
Wednesday, October 9th, Panettiere wore not only a live boa constrictor on the set of Live with Kelly and Michael, but also a giant diamond ring. Michael Strahan, who is terrified of snakes, was greatly focused on the constrictor that Panettiere wore around her neck but Kelly Ripa immediately cued in on the former Heroes' cheerleader's ring finger, which bore the large diamond.
Ripa initially danced around the subject, asking if the ring signified or promised anything. Panettiere responded, saying that the ring spoke for itself. More directly, Ripa asked if she was engaged and Panettiere said that she was.
The petite actress, 24, met the Ukrainian boxer, 37, at a booking party in 2009. Throughout the relationship, Panettiere often appeared ringside for Klitschko, including during his victory over Samuel Peter. The couple broke up in May 2011 because the relationship suffered from the long distance, but they mended the relationship as of February 2013.
This will be first marriage for, both, the 5'2" actress and the 6'6" boxer, though both have had their share of high-profile celebrity romances. Klitschko has dated German actress Yvonne Catterfeld, Czech model Karolina Kurkova and German model Alena Gerber. Panettiere has date former Heroes co-star Milo Ventimiglia and NFL player Scotty McKnight.
Panettiere and Klitschko have been rumored to be engaged since the summer, but neither party confirmed this until Panettiere's appearance on Live with Kelly & Michael. No wedding plans have been announced.