Today, Oscar-nominated actress Michelle Williams has issued her first statement since the tragic and unexpected death of Heath Ledger.

Michelle Williams, 27, and Heath Ledger, 28, met on the set of the 2005 movie "Brokeback Mountain," fell in love and had Matilda, who is now 2 years old.

In September last year, the actor called off his engagement to Michelle Williams, although he had previously praised her as his soul mate.

"Matilda is adorable, and beautifully observant and wise. Michelle and I love her so much. Becoming a father exceeds all my expectations. It's the most remarkable experience I've ever had - it's marvelous," Ledger once said.

In a statement relased today by her spokesperson, Michelle Williams said she is “heart-broken” and asked for privacy.

"Please respect our need to grieve privately," Williams said. "My heart is broken. I am the mother of the most tender-hearted, high-spirited, beautiful little girl who is the spitting image of her father. All that I can cling to is his presence inside her that reveals itself every day."

"His family and I watch Matilda as she whispers to trees, hugs animals and takes steps two at a time, and we know that he is with us still," Williams added. ""She will be brought up with the best memories of him."

Heath Ledger, 28, died in his Manhattan apartment on January 22nd. Results of toxicology tests carried out by medical examiners, which will determine the cause of death, are expected within days.

There were unconfirmed reports that Ledger was using drugs and that caused his breakup with Michelle Williams. Footage of a video from two years ago showing Heath Ledger talking about his marijuana addiction have emerged on TV.

Entertainment Tonight and The Insider never had a chance to air their artfully touted drug video of late actor Heath Ledger, after the Hollywood community rallied against such “shameful exploitation.”

Heath Ledger was an Academy Award-nominated actor for his controversial role as cowboy Ennis Del Mar in 2005 “Brokeback Mountain.”

In 2007 he was one of the six actors who portrayed Bob Dylan in the movie “I’m Not There.” He has just finished working in the sequel of “Batman Begins”, “The Dark Night” in which he portrayed the Joker. The movie is set to debut on July 18, 2008.