'Blessing in disguise': Cindy Williams' death mends Kate and Oliver Hudson's rift with step-siblings

The ‘Laverne & Shirley’ star died at the age of 75 on January 25, after a brief illness
PUBLISHED FEB 7, 2023
Cindy Williams’ saddening death has apparently been mending the rift between her two children and their renowned half-siblings Oliver and Kate Hudson (Vince Bucci and Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Cindy Williams’ saddening death has apparently been mending the rift between her two children and their renowned half-siblings Oliver and Kate Hudson (Vince Bucci and Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Hollywood veteran Cindy Williams’ saddening death has apparently been instrumental in mending the rift between her two children and their renowned half-siblings - Oliver and Kate Hudson. The ‘Laverne & Shirley’ star died at the age of 75 on Wednesday, January 25, after a brief illness.

Following the star’s death, the ‘Nashville’ actor, 46, and the ‘Truth be Told’ star, 43, reached out to Cindy’s children — Emily and Zak Hudson – to offer their condolences. "Kate says perhaps Cindy's death will end up being a blessing in disguise for the siblings, bringing them back together in the end," a source close to the family told Radar Online, adding, "As adults, all the kids now realize time is short, and Cindy's death emphasizes that."

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Bill Hudson's ex-wives Cindy Williams and Goldie Hawn struggled to be amicable as late actress tried to build blended family\

MAMA MIA! Kate Hudson and Goldie Hawn are in high spirits after enjoying an Italian dinner in NYC

Why Kate and Oliver refused to see Bill Hudson for years

The ‘Happy Days’ star welcomed Emily and Zak with Bill Hudson, whom she married after his split with actress Goldie Hawn. The musician and Hawn were married from 1976 to 1980, during which time they welcomed Oliver and Kate. The renowned siblings were Bill’s oldest children but they never had a pleasant relationship with him. "For many years Goldie's kids refused to see their dad or have a relationship with him," the insider spilled, adding for a long time they felt bitter about him leaving them behind to start a new family with Cindy.

But a year ago, Kate decided to end their rift and began talking about brokering peace with her half-siblings, the insider confirmed. "That included Zak, Emily, and 16-year-old Lalania — their father's daughter from another relationship. Oliver is open to the idea as well. Both he and Kate agree it's time to put the past behind them and get to know their two sisters and their brother," they added.

Kate Hudson say she has forgiven Bill Hudson

In 2016, the ‘Bride Wars’ star revealed that she had forgiven her biological father for hurting her mother and brother in the past. "I really do recognize whatever those issues are, it’s just something that he has to live with, and that must be painful for him, so I forgive him,” she told Howard Stern according to Radar Online.

While Kate and Oliver never had a great relationship with Bill, they found their perfect father figure in Kurt Russell, who started dating Hawn in 1983. Kate recently thanked Russell for his love in a moving Father’s Day post. "Fun, adventurous, passionate, determined, honest, devoted, amazing father and the best head of hair in Los Angeles!" Kate wrote. "Lucky us! Love you Pa! Happy Father's Day."

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