Reese Witherspoon's daughter Ava remains estranged from dad Ryan Phillippe 'out of choice', claims source
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ava Phillippe, the 25-year-old daughter of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, has been estranged from her father "out of choice" over the past two years, the Daily Mail reported on Sunday, April 13.
Ava was born on September 9, 1999, the same year that her parents got married. The couple had a second child, Deacon, in 2003, but divorced in 2008. While Ryan continues to be in touch with his son Deacon, his relationship with his daughter has taken a turn for the worse.
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Source reveals bitter feud between Ava Phillippe and dad Ryan Phillippe
An insider told Daily Mail about the strained relationship between Ryan Phillippe ans his daughter Ava. "She has no contact with him and rarely mentions him. Ryan hasn't been a present father figure in her life for years."
Things were not this way as Ryan had previously stated how he "learned what love truly is" with the birth of his daughter. However, Witherspoon painted a different picture, saying that she felt abandoned by her ex-husband in the early months following Ava's birth.
Since their divorce, 'The Morning Show' actress and her ex-husband have maintained a healthy co-parenting relationship, with the latter often posting about his daughter on social media.
The last time he made such a post was in 2018, a year after his ex-girlfriend Elsie Hewitt filed a million-dollar lawsuit against him, accusing him of assault.
Ryan denied all allegations against him, which also included substance abuse, and settled the matter out of court in 2019. However, as per the outlet, the incident had an impact on Ava, who has been an outspoken advocate for issues like body positivity, mental health awareness, and LGBTQ+ rights.
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"Things really soured in 2018 around the time he was accused of abuse by his ex," the source told the publication. "Her issue with Ryan is his treatment of women, which she finds appalling."
"Ava doesn't follow Ryan on social media anymore, and she has no interest in the relationship he shares with her brother," they added.
Ava Phillippe found father figure in Reese Witherspoon's second husband
As per the insider, Ava Phillippe has always looked up to her mom Reese Witherspoon's former husband Jim Toth as a father figure after her mother and father split up.
Witherspoon started dating Roth, a talent agent, in 2010 and got married the following year, with 11-year-old Ava being the maid-of-honor at the wedding, while her brother Deacon, 7, was the ring-bearer.
The couple had a son, Tennessee James Toth, in 2012 before they got divorced in 2023.
A source told the Daily Mail, "Ava looked at Jim as more of a father figure as he helped to raise her. Ryan hasn't been a present father figure in her life for years.".
