Long before tragedy ended their 15-year marriage, Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson shared the kind of love that inspired the Hollywood movies and productions they starred in.
Richardson was married to producer Robert Fox during that period, while Neeson was the eligible bachelor who had wooed Hollywood starlets such as Helen Mirren and Brooke Shields.
(L) Actor Liam Neeson attending “Venganza Bajo Cero” Madrid premiere on July 15, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (M) Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson’s colonial-style mansion.
(R) Actress Natasha Richardson with her husband Liam Neeson Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson during a special screening of “Seraphim Falls” at the Tribeca Grand Hotel on January 23, 2007 in New York City. / Source: Getty Images and YouTube/@The Richest
While performing on Broadway side-by-side, Richardson and Neeson’s chemistry electrified the stage. Their stellar performances even earned them both Tony nominations.
By April 1993, Richardson had ended her four-year marriage to Fox about a month after closing night. After that, rumors of an affair with the “Taken” star had already made headlines.
Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson at The American Museum of the Moving Image. / Source: Getty Images
Richardson later told the Daily News that her courtship with Neeson was complex and that it was terrible timing that everything else came out in the open then:
“It was not an easy time when I met Liam.”
Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson pictured leaving Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud on July 14, 1993 in Dublin, Ireland. / Source: Getty Images
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The English native explained that working with Neeson and what happened between them and that becoming public knowledge in conjunction with her marriage failing was an inopportune time:
“So, what can I say? Obviously, I fell very much in love with him.”
RICHARDSON GAVE NEESON A STARTLING ULTIMATUM
When they worked on a movie together while still dating, Richardson told her then-boyfriend that she would not marry him if he got offered to play James Bond in the film franchise.
Neeson recounted the story during an appearance on “The Late Late Show with James Corden” in June 2021, sharing that she gave him an ultimatum:
“My dear departed wife did say to me, ‘Darling, if you’re offered James Bond, and you’re going to play it, you’re not going to marry me.”
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Liam Neeson and his wife the Natasha Richardson at the film premiere of “Schindler’s List.” / Source: Getty Images
The casting directors previously considered Neeson for the role of the iconic James Bond in the early ’90s, but Richardson quickly shut down the possibility. The award-winning Irish actor revealed he was aware that they were looking for various actors for the role and that he was on the list.
In keeping his future bride’s wishes, Neeson passed out on the role, and he and Richardson got married in 1994. The couple tied the knot on a farm in upstate New York.
Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson attending the Tony Awards as boyfriend and girlfriend. / Source: Getty Images
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The bride walked down the aisle in a Donna Karan gown in front of 70 guests, including Emma Thompson and famed director Steven Spielberg.
Richardson’s mother gave her daughter away at the altar as her father, who was an Oscar-winning director, Tony Richardson, passed away in 1991.
Liam Neeson and son during “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” New York premiere at Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City, New York. / Source: Getty Images
The newly wedded couple welcomed their first son, Michael, in June 1995 and another named Daniel the following year in 1996. The mom of two reflected on giving birth to her boys only 18 months apart:
“I had my boys 18 months apart. Of course, we didn’t plan on having back-to-back babies. But life almost never goes according to plan.”
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Natasha Richardson and her sons Micheal Neeson (L) and Daniel Neeson (R) during the “Billy Elliot The Musical” opening night on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on November 13, 2008 in New York City. / Source: Getty Images
The couple’s firstborn caught the acting bug at a very young age, following his parents’ footsteps. The 26-year-old has since made his acting debut in 2013′ “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” and has acted in several other movies and TV shows.
His younger brother Daniel also pursued a career in acting when he studied theater at Tulane University. Since graduating in 2019, per his Instagram page, the 25-year-old has worked in the entertainment scene, as he has a credit in the special effects department for “Suicide Is Easy.”
NEESON & RICHARDSON ENJOYED 15 YEARS OF WEDD BLISS
Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson during the 33rd Annual American Ireland Fund Gala at The Tent at Lincoln Center on May 08, 2008 in New York City. / Source: Getty Images
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Neeson and Richardson enjoyed 15 years of marital bliss before tragedy struck. In March 2009, “The Parent Trap” star fell at Quebec’s Mont Tremblant ski resort.
She initially appeared fine and even joked about the fall. However, the ski patrol insisted that she see a doctor, but Richardson declined.
Nonetheless, paramedics were called the first time. The ambulance arrived and transported her from the foot of the mountain to the infirmary by sleigh.
Broadway stars Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson pictured holding hands in 1997 in New York City. / Source: Getty Images
Richardson was adamant that she was okay and did not want to stay at the infirmary. She later signed hospital waiver paperwork and walked 300 yards to the hotel along with her ski instructor.
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When she finally got back to her room, paramedics received a second phone call for help, and an ambulance arrived ten minutes later. During that period, Richardson was conscious but showed signs of worry as paramedics called the hematology department, where they later transported her.
Natasha Richardson and Harry Belafonte at Bryant Park on December 1, 2005 in Manhattan, New York / Source: Getty Images
A Canadian newspaper later reported that an ambulance had been dispatched, but the paramedics were told they were not needed and left. The operations manager, Yves Coderre, revealed the paramedics never even saw the patient and made a U-turn:
“When you have head trauma, you can bleed. It can deteriorate in a few hours or a few days. People don’t realize it can be serious. We warn them they can die, and sometimes they start to laugh. They don’t take it seriously.”
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Natasha Richardson during “Seraphim Falls” After Party at Soho Grand Penthouse at 310 West Broadway in New York City, New York. / Source: Getty Images
Richardson was later transferred to Hopital de Sacre-Coeur in Montreal before being airlifted to New York City’s Lenox Hill Hospital, where relatives rushed to her side.
The ski resort revealed the “Asylum” star fell on a beginner’s trail while taking a ski lesson at Station Mont Tremblant. A spokesperson for the resort disclosed Richardson was not wearing a helmet while skiing and did not collide with anything when she fell.
Richardson died a few days later from an epidural hematoma due to a blunt impact to the head. She was 45 years old. The stage star and her spouse had made a pact that they would pull the plug if they were to end up in a vegetative state.
Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson during the 4th Annual Tribeca Film Festival – “Asylum” premiere at Stuyvesant High School in New York City, New York. / Source: Getty Images
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Neeson recalled going into his wife’s hospital room to tell her he loved her. He also informed Richardson that her condition was too complex:
“I went in to her, and I told her I loved her. I said, ‘Sweetie, you’re not coming back from this. You’ve banged your head.”
Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson during 2006 Kennedy Center Honors at United States State Department in Washington, D.C. / Source: Getty Images
The Academy Award nominee revealed that he and his beloved spouse had made a pact when it came to their health if things turned out dire:
“She and I had made a pact. If any of us got into a vegetative state, we’d pull the plug. My immediate thought was, ‘Okay, these tubes have to go. She’s gone.”
HOW RICHARDSON’S DEATH SAVED THREE OTHER LIVES
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Natasha Richardson posing for a photo on the red carpet at the premiere of the film “Dogma” in October 1999 in New York City, New York. / Source: Getty Images
In February 2014, Neeson revealed that his wife’s death saved three people’s lives. He and the family donated Richardson’s organs, including her heart, liver, and kidneys.
The 69-year-old expressed how proud he was about the donation and believed his late spouse would be thrilled and pleased about it.
Liam Neeson attending “Venganza Bajo Cero” photocall at the Villamagna Hotel on July 16, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. / Source: Getty Images
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Even five years after Richardson was fatally injured during a ski trip, Neeson admitted that the experience of his wife’s departure at age 45 “was never real.”
He shared that in his New York residence, where he resides till now, the movie star often hears a door opening as Richardson did when she was still alive:
“There’s periods now in our New York residence when I hear the door opening, especially the first couple of years … any time I hear that door opening, I still think I’m going to hear her.”
NEESON’S ENORMOUS MANSION
The couple owns a beautiful colonial-style country mansion centered on the estate and surrounded by lush green in Dutchess County, New York.
The 37-acre property boasts 6 166 square-foot even has some greenery featured on the exterior wall outside and the French windows.
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Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson’s colonial-style mansion situation in Dutchess County, New York. / Source: YouTube/@The Richest
Behind the farmhouse, there is a perfectly manicured lawn with trees all around the pave way. The estate also features an outdoor pool and has stoned tiles.
Next to the outdoor pool is a quaint brown pool house. In addition, further in the backyard is a conservatory and a vegetable garden.
Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson’s backyard outdoor pool that has a quaint pool house. / Source: YouTube/@The Richest
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There are two antique red barns, and one was renovated to serve as the entertainment area. It boasts a home theater, gym, and games room.
On the interior, the estate has a spacious bathroom that features a free-standing bathtub with brown cupboard space coordinating well with the peach wall paint.
Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson’s perfectly manicured lawn in their backyard. / Source: YouTube/@The Richest
The home theater features portraits of his favorite films and some in which Richardson starred in. The couple used to spend time some quality time watching movies together.
The main bedroom is also quite spacious, and it features a beige L-shaped couch with a coffee table and a brown mirror, including a television set.
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Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson’s bathroom with a free-standing bathtub. / Source: YouTube/@The Richest
Every bedroom has a plush bathroom. The study area has a dark-colored theme, and it features a brown leather couch with matching ottomans.
On the other hand, the kitchen has a life of its own as it oozes an airy feel to the space with a bright lighting chandelier. The French doors and windows bring more light to the room.
Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson’s spacious master bedroom that features a beige couch and a coffee table. / Source: YouTube/@The Richest
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The gray painted room features an oak dining table that matches the cupboard space for dinnerware against the wall, which also has a display set.
The off-white dining chairs complement the wall statement on either side of the room, with low ceilings making the space more intimate.
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The dining room has dark wooden flooring that complements the legs of the chairs and a beige carpet that also matches the chairs overall.
Neeson and Richardson moved into their farmhouse in 1994 after he sold his Hollywood Hills home to return to his Manhattan loft. He listed his three-bedroomed bungalow, built in the 1950s, for $439,000.
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NEESON’S DATING LIFE & LIKING A WOMAN THAT WAS ‘TAKEN’
Liam Neeson and Freya St Johnston during “The White Crow” UK premiere held at The Curzon Mayfair on March 12, 2019 in London, England. / Source: Getty Images
Ever since Neeson’s wife died, he has tried the dating scene. The father of two was spotted leaving London’s high-end Nobu restaurant with Freya St. Johnston in September 2010,
The tall blonde businesswoman has a striking resemblance to Neeson’s late spouse. The pair were pictured holding hands while making their way to the Dorchester Hotel.
Businesswoman Freya St. Johnston and Liam Neeson at Scotts restaurant on March 30, 2012 in London, England. / Source: Getty Images
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Per the Daily Mail, the “Blacklight” star had visited Johnston’s modern apartment in northwest London, for which many received bouquets.
Neeson broke things off with the British publicist in October 2012 after two years of dating. A source told the Irish Central that he was heading back to the US to work on a new film.
Liam Neeson arriving at the Los Angeles premiere of “Non-Stop” at Regency Village Theatre on February 24, 2014 in Westwood, California. / Source: Getty Images
The insider revealed that Neeson told Johnston that he wanted to take a break and focus on his family. Then in February 2022, during an appearance on Australia’s “Sunrise,” he told hosts David Koch and Natalie Barr that he fell in love.
Neeson had spent several months in Melbourne in 2020 filming a movie. While there, the Hollywood star said he fell in love with the country and fell in love with a woman, “but she was taken.”
