Liam Neeson Speaks Frankly About Dating at 72
When Liam Neeson was recently asked whether he's open to dating at the age of 72, his answer was straightforward and heartfelt. “No, in a word. I’m past all that,” he told People in an interview published on October 23. It’s clear that, for Liam, the focus of his life has shifted away from romantic pursuits and toward other priorities.
A Life Once Shared with Natasha Richardson
Liam’s life took a profound turn when his beloved wife, Natasha Richardson, passed away in 2009. The couple, married from 1994 to 2009, shared two beautiful children together—sons Micheál Neeson, born in 1995, and Daniel Neeson, born in 1996. Natasha’s tragic death, which resulted from a brain hemorrhage following a fall during a ski trip, left Liam and their family in unimaginable grief.
Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Liam spoke candidly about his initial priorities after Natasha’s passing. “It was a horrible thing to happen,” he admitted. “But my biggest concern was making sure my kids were OK. They were my world, and I had to be there for them.”
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A Family That Came Together in Grief
During those difficult times, Liam leaned on Natasha’s family for support. He praised her mother, Vanessa Redgrave, and her sister, Joely Richardson, for stepping up to help him raise his sons. “Everybody just pulled together,” he recalled. “Vanessa and Joely were extraordinary. We were fortunate in many ways to have such a supportive family network.”
It wasn’t easy, but Liam and his family found strength in unity. The love and care from those closest to him helped him navigate the overwhelming emotions that followed Natasha’s death.
Revisiting Natasha’s Death: A Difficult Conversation
Liam first spoke publicly about Natasha’s death in February 2014 during an interview with Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes. He described the moment he learned of her dire condition. “I was told she was brain dead,” he remembered. “Seeing that X-ray, it was like, ‘Wow.’ But she was on life support, and I had to go in and tell her I loved her.”
With immense courage, Liam conveyed his final moments with Natasha. “I said, ‘Sweetie, you’re not coming back from this. You’ve banged your head. I don’t know if you can hear me, but this is what’s happened. We’re bringing you back to New York so all your family and friends can be with you.’ That was pretty much it.”
A Pact Made in Love
Even in the face of such heartbreak, Liam and Natasha had made a pact years earlier. “We agreed that if either of us ever ended up in a vegetative state, we’d pull the plug,” Liam explained. This deeply personal decision reflected their mutual respect and understanding of each other’s wishes.
“Grief is like a wave,” Liam described during the interview. “It hits you suddenly, leaving you feeling unstable, like a three-legged table. The ground beneath you feels shaky, but eventually, it becomes less frequent. Still, I sometimes feel it even now.”
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For Liam, immersing himself in work became a way to cope with his grief. “I’m not good without work,” he admitted. “I just don’t wallow too much. And I didn’t want to—especially for my boys—to appear to be stuck in sadness or depression.”
Reflecting on Life and Love
In March 2017, Liam reunited with the cast of Love Actually to celebrate the film 14 years later. Looking back, he reflected on how much his life had changed since starring in the beloved 2003 rom-com. “It’s been 14 years now, and we’ve all lived our lives,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “Some of us have passed away, like my dear old friend Alan Rickman, God rest him. Some have gotten divorced. I’ve lost my wife.”
“And, sure, plenty of times I’ve thought about this film and my own life,” Liam shared. “Love Actually, that’s the way it is. That’s the tapestry of life.”
Now, Micheál is following in his parents’ footsteps as an actor, sharing the screen with Liam in 2020’s Made in Italy. “I think Natasha would be proud,” Liam reflected during his recent interview with People. “I hope so.”
