Heath Ledger love child claims

Mar 31, 2008, 10:30 GMT

Australian actor Heath Ledger EPA/CLAUDIO ONORATI

Heath Ledger may have fathered a secret love child with a married older woman.

The 'Brokeback Mountain' actor - who was found dead in his New York apartment in January following an accidental drugs overdose - had an affair with the unnamed woman when he was just a 17-year-old schoolboy.

The woman is thought to have discovered she was pregnant after their relationship ended and has only now come forward, saying her 11-year-old girl could be Heath's daughter.

Heath's uncle Hadyn Ledger said: "There is a very real possibility that Heath was the father."

If DNA tests confirm the girl is Heath's child, it could mean she is entitled to a share of his estate.

'The Dark Knight' actor has a two-year-old daughter Matilda Rose, with ex-partner Michelle Williams, however, both were left out of his will.

Heath wrote his will before his daughter was born, but his family have promised they will be looked after.

The star left his entire estate to his parents and three sisters in the document signed in his native Australia in April 2003.

A series of documents filed in the Manhattan Surrogate Court revealed Heath had less than $145,000 in New York assets at the time the will was written, including a $25,000 Toyota Prius hybrid car and $20,000 in furniture and fixtures.

However, the true size of his estate is much larger, and is thought to include the Brooklyn townhouse he shared with Michelle during their relationship, which ended last year, as well as any property and savings located in Australia.

(C) BANG Media International