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THE RUNDOWN:
- Liam Neeson has seemingly debuted a relationship with his co-star Pamela Anderson
- It’s been 16 years since his love life was last in the headlines following the death of his first wife, the actor Natasha Richardson in 2009
- Richardson has talked about their love story and his profound loss over the years. We take a look back.
We’re always on the lookout for a new celebrity couple at ELLE Australia (we’re romantics at heart), but one single man who hasn’t pinged on our radar in some time? Liam Neeson. For Neeson, privacy has long been a hallmark of his personal life. It’s been over a decade since the tragic loss of his wife, Natasha Richardson, an acclaimed actress and mother to their sons, Micheál and Daniel. The couple first met in 1993 while starring opposite each other on Broadway, tying the knot the following year. Natasha would later recall falling “very much in love” with Neeson during that time, sparking a love story that captivated fans and endured until her untimely passing in 2009.
Since her death, Neeson has kept a low romantic profile. He even told People earlier this year that he was “done with all that” when asked about dating. But now, in happy news for fans, it seems like 16 years later, the actor is enjoying a fledgling romance with his Naked Gun co-star Pamela Anderson.
While the pair haven’t officially confirmed anything, the presence of both their families — including Neeson’s and Anderson’s respective sons — has only fuelled curiosity. More than just a press tour stop, the premiere felt like a moment of genuine connection for two actors with very public pasts and, perhaps, a shared understanding of life in the spotlight. Anderson’s previous romances are well documented, but Neeson has rarely discussed his marriage.
Richardson died at age 45 following a skiing accident in Quebec, a devastating loss that reverberated far beyond Hollywood. At the time, Micheál and Daniel were just 13 and 12 years old, respectively. In an interview with People in 2024, Neeson reflected on the tragedy: “It was a horrible thing to happen. Everybody just pulled together.” He shared that his focus in the aftermath was “making sure [the boys] were okay.”
Seeing Micheál and Daniel by their father’s side at the premiere, alongside Anderson’s two sons, suggests the beginning of a new chapter. One shaped not by letting go, but by moving forward.
As we reflect on Natasha Richardson’s legacy — her warmth, grace, and remarkable talent — it’s heartening to imagine that Neeson may be opening his heart once more. Love after loss is never simple, but for two stars who’ve weathered storms in public and private, perhaps this new bond is a reminder that hope and healing are always possible.
What Happened To Natasha Richardson?
While on a family holiday in 2009, Natasha Richardson was taking a beginner ski lesson at Quebec’s Mont Tremblant resort when she fell on the slope. At first, it seemed minor. She reportedly laughed off the tumble and declined medical attention. But within hours, her condition worsened. The fall had caused a fatal brain bleed from blunt impact.
Back on set in Toronto, Liam Neeson received the call. His wife had been flown to a hospital in Montreal. He rushed to be by her side, only to be met with devastating news.
“She was brain dead,” he would later tell 60 Minutes‘ Anderson Cooper in a rare and heart-wrenching interview.
Before saying goodbye, Neeson made a final phone call to Richardson. “She said, ‘Oh, darling. I’ve taken a tumble in the snow,” he remembered. “That’s how she described it.”
“She was on life support… and I told her I loved her,” he said. “I said, ‘Sweetie, you’re not coming back from this. You’ve banged your head. It’s– I don’t know if you can hear me, but that’s- this is what’s gone down. And we’re bringing you back to New York. All your family and friends will come.’”
Richardson was transferred to New York’s Lenox Hill Hospital, where loved ones gathered to say their goodbyes. She was just 45.
True to who she was in life, Richardson was an organ donor. Her heart, kidneys, and liver helped save the lives of others — a gesture Neeson believes would have brought her peace. “She would be very thrilled and pleased by that,” he said.
Natasha Richardson Movies And TV Shows
Natasha Richardson captivated audiences with a string of memorable roles, none more beloved than Elizabeth James, the warm and devoted mother to Lindsay Lohan’s twins in The Parent Trap.
Born into the legendary Redgrave acting dynasty, Natasha was the daughter of acclaimed actress Vanessa Redgrave and director Tony Richardson, and the granddaughter of theatrical icons Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson. Yet, from the very beginning, she forged her own distinctive path in the arts.
Her early film work—portraying figures such as Mary Shelley and Patty Hearst—earned her critical acclaim and demonstrated a remarkable range. On Broadway, she made an immediate impact with her debut in Anna Christie (1993), which garnered her a Theatre World Award. But it was her electrifying turn as Sally Bowles in the 1998 revival of Cabaret that truly defined her legacy, earning her a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award.
On screen, Richardson’s career was equally diverse and compelling. From intense dramas like Patty Hearst (1988) and The Handmaid’s Tale (1990) to heartfelt roles in Nell (1994), and Maid in Manhattan (2002), and iconic comedies like The Parent Trap (1998), she brought a rare combination of strength and vulnerability that left an indelible mark on audiences and critics alike.
Natasha Richardson And Emma Thompson
There’s a surprisingly long history of confusion between Emma Thompson and Natasha Richardson, especially when it comes to The Parent Trap. Entire Reddit threads have been devoted to the collective confusion about who starred in the movie.
In reality, it was Richardson who played the effortlessly elegant Elizabeth James, the London-based wedding dress designer and mother to Lindsay Lohan’s twin characters. The mix-up likely comes from their striking resemblance, especially since Natasha’s character sported a cropped blonde hairstyle similar to Emma Thompson’s signature look.
Liam Neeson And Natasha Richardson’s Children
Neeson and Richardson shared two sons, Micheál Richardson, 30, and Daniel Neeson, 28, who were still young when their mother died in 2009.
In a quiet tribute, Micheál later adopted his mother’s surname—Micheál Richardson—and has followed the family craft into acting, starring opposite his father in the tender 2020 film Made in Italy, a story about love and loss that mirrors their own. Daniel has largely steered away from the spotlight, pursuing business and creative projects. He studied Theatre and Digital Media at Tulane University and is now an entrepreneur; he launched the eco-minded clothing label Pine Outfitters in 2017, and later co-founded additive-free spirits company DE-NADA Tequila.
Both brothers remain close to their mother’s celebrated Redgrave family. Together, they’ve carried forward Natasha’s warmth and wit, proving that a fierce, artistic lineage—and an enduring love—can outlast the deepest grief.
The post Remembering Natasha Richardson—The Tragic Love Story Behind Liam Neeson’s New Chapter appeared first on ELLE.
