Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell are celebrated as one of Hollywood’s most cherished couples. Despite their enduring and deep bond, they have never married.
Hawn’s previous marriage to musician Bill Hudson, the father of her children Kate and Oliver, ended in separation. Hudson’s departure from their lives left lasting scars, something Kate and Oliver have struggled to overcome.
Both Kate and Oliver have come to see Russell as a father figure, with Kate acknowledging the impact of Hudson’s absence on her relationships.
“I think that’s like the age-old psychological core issue for any situation,” Kate told Closer Weekly. She reflects on how her experiences with an absent parent have influenced her life and relationships.
Russell, unlike Hudson, has consistently been there for Hawn’s children, who regard him as their true dad. In a Vanity Fair interview, Kate praised Russell’s presence, contrasting it with her estranged father’s absence. “I’m glad I had a dad who was there on my birthday,” she said.
Hudson, who has largely avoided discussing his relationship with his children, was prompted to speak out following an Instagram post by Oliver. In it, Oliver shared a Father’s Day message that read “Happy Abandonment Day” alongside a photo of Hudson and himself.
In response, Hudson labeled the post a “malicious, vicious, premeditated attack” and publicly severed ties with Kate and Oliver. He declared them no longer part of his life and asked them to stop using his name.
Kate has expressed forgiveness toward her father but acknowledges the profound impact of his absence. On their podcast, Sibling Revelry, she spoke about having a supportive family with Hawn and Russell, but also the lingering void of not knowing her biological father.
She added that despite Hawn’s efforts to protect her family’s image, the pain of Hudson’s abandonment remains a significant part of her life.
Hudson has blamed Hawn for his estrangement from his children, suggesting she sought to portray her relationship with Russell as a perfect family while distorting the reality of his departure.