The Woman Val Kilmer Never Forgot — He Once Said He ‘Cried Every Day’ After Losing Her
The Woman Val Kilmer Loved Most Before His Death at 65 – He ‘Cried Every Single Day’ After Their Breakup
Val Kilmer dated several of the most famous women in Hollywood, but only one of them made him genuinely sad. The actor talked about the woman who transformed his life and the grief he suffered long after she passed away in his memoir, which was published prior to his passing.
In parts like Jim Morrison, Doc Holliday, and Batman, he was once the iconic, fearless, and menacing face of Hollywood’s golden boys. Off-screen, Val Kilmer garnered quite as much attention, especially for his romantic life.
However, there was a passion that persisted long after it ended beneath the surface of his celebrity relationships. In his memoir, Kilmer described a heartbreak that plagued him for decades, one that was so intense that he found it difficult to move on, despite the fact that the lady he lost fell in love again.
The affection Val Kilmer Was Unable to Let Go
When word leaked out on April 1, 2025, that Kilmer had died in Los Angeles at the age of 65, the entertainment industry lost one of the greatest. His daughter said pneumonia was the cause.
The actor recovered from his 2014 throat cancer diagnosis and went on to work and talk openly about his health issues.
Kilmer’s love life garnered almost as much attention as his cinematic career, and he was candid about his fight with throat cancer. He was connected to some of the most well-known women in Hollywood throughout the years.
The actor acknowledged that their connection left a lasting scar.
The relationship that had the biggest impact on him, despite the headlines, was with actress Daryl Hannah. Hannah became well-known in the 1980s thanks to her parts in some of the most iconic movies of that decade.
She was the mermaid Madison in the romantic comedy “Splash,” Pris in the iconic science fiction film “Blade Runner,” and Elle Driver in the “Kill Bill” trilogy directed by Quentin Tarantino.
She became a mainstay in both mainstream and cult movies thanks to her versatility and distinctive on-screen persona. After collaborating on the movie “In God We Trust,” she and Kilmer started dating in 2001. Their relationship swiftly grew into something much more serious than a short-lived Hollywood romance.
Kilmer reflected on their time together with awe and sadness in his memoir “I’m Your Huckleberry,” writing:
“I would always and forever love her. The power of that love, which is infinite, fleeting, and invisible, has not diminished. I messed up with Daryl. It might have been possessiveness. Perhaps it was ego.
The actor acknowledged that their connection left a lasting scar. However, Daryl was the most agonizing of them. I would have done anything to get her back, let’s just say that. Sometimes it is impossible to comprehend God’s flawless plan for peace, but it must be obeyed,” he wrote.
Writing about the depth of their relationship, Kilmer didn’t mince words: “Losing Daryl felt like the end of that whole piece of my personality.” Every day we spent with her was that special once-every-ten-year spring when there is a gorgeous storm followed by a priceless rainbow, and we battled and loved profoundly […].”
Additionally, he explained how their breakup’s aftermath emotionally devoured him, adding:
For at least six months, I sobbed every day until I started to worry that my children would perceive me in that light. “Grow up,” I thought. I was no longer able to do it, and I couldn’t do it to them either.”
Hannah stayed a constant in his mind even after they parted ways. “I don’t want to stop talking about Daryl,” the actor admitted. I want to think back to the morning we woke up in her beautifully restored Telluride barn. A long, wide plank of wood, a beautiful work of art, was leaning against a wall.
“I am a slave to Love,” he said, referring more generally to his views on love and the emotional traits he found most admirable. I’m an unreliable romantic. It’s been twenty years since I had a girlfriend.
According to Kilmer, women were the more engaged and emotionally complex gender. He added, “A woman is more likely than a man to possess the essential traits of love, empathy, and compassion, or a feminine appearance than a macho one. Women have always piqued my curiosity far more than men.
Kilmer also disclosed that he hadn’t had a partner for 20 years in his 2020 memoir. In contrast, Hannah finally moved on and started a life with Neil Young, a Canadian rock musician.
The two are said to have connected over their common commitment to environmental advocacy after meeting in 2014. They participated in demonstrations against the Keystone XL project early in their relationship, including a march in Washington, D.C.
On July 27, 2018, Young’s boat, the W.G. Ragland, docked in Echo Bay close to Sucia Island, Washington, hosted their private wedding as a result of their courtship. Nearby at the time, Captain Ron Fugere remembered witnessing what appeared to be a minor ceremony on the deck of the yacht.
He saw, in the distance, a woman in a white dress, petals being thrown from flowers, and an officiant conducting what seemed to be a quick vow-exchange.
According to reports, a second celebration took place on the Central Coast of California, where the couple had a party at Santa Margarita Ranch in San Luis Obispo for about 100 people.
Kilmer and music legend Cher were romantically associated in the 1980s.
Stephen Stills and Joni Mitchell were among the notable guests. The actress shared a picture of a white owl on Instagram with the remark, “Someone’s watching over us…. Love & only love.” Although Hannah and Young did not formally acknowledge their marriage, rumors began to circulate.
Young was married for the third time, while Hannah, who had previously dated Kilmer as well as John F. Kennedy Jr. and Jackson Browne, was married for the first time.
Speaking on their relationship while on a press tour for the movie “Paradox,” which she directed and in which Young appeared, the singer conveyed her sincere appreciation for their collaboration by saying:
“We’re extremely fortunate to have met. She feels the same way, and I will always be grateful for the chance to share my life with her.
A Record of Prominent Love Stories
Kilmer’s romantic past featured a number of well-known figures from the music, fashion, and film industries, but one relationship left a permanent scar. All of these relationships contributed to the mystery that surrounds his life off-screen, whether they were short-lived or long-lasting.
Kilmer and music legend Cher were romantically associated in the 1980s when they met at her birthday celebration. A string of high-profile romances that would follow him throughout the decade began with their connection. His connections to the music industry were further cemented when he started dating singer Carly Simon shortly after.
During this time, he also became romantically involved with actress Ellen Barkin. Their romance was one of several that he fondly recalled in his later years, highlighting the depth of feeling in many of his relationships, even if they didn’t work out.
Kilmer only got married once, despite having numerous relationships. He married actress Joanne Whalley in 1988 after they met while he was working on the fantasy movie “Willow.” Before ending in 1996, their marriage produced two children: a son named Jack in 1995 and a daughter named Mercedes in 1991.
Kilmer’s personal life changed after their divorce, but he continued to be committed to parenthood in the years that followed. Kilmer was connected to supermodel Cindy Crawford following the dissolution of his marriage.
Additionally, Kilmer’s name was mentioned in relation to Paris Hilton.
A longer-term romance with producer Jaycee Gossett, which lasted roughly two years in the late 1990s and early 2000s, followed their relationship.
In 2004, Kilmer collaborated with Angelina Jolie on the epic series about history, “Alexander.” There were rumors of an off-screen relationship because of their on-screen collaboration.
Kilmer’s name also surfaced in relation to Paris Hilton in a more unexpected match. In 2006, there were rumors that the two had shared a kiss years before while working on the movie “Wonderland,” which they both starred in.
One relationship in particular stood out in Val Kilmer’s life, which was ultimately full with talent, popularity, and noteworthy romances.
He never stopped grieving for the woman who made the most impression, even though there were many who came and departed. He carried this heartache all the way to the end.
