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Liam Neeson’s grief for his beloved Natasha Richardson

By Maureen Coleman
Thursday, 19 March 2009

  Natasha Richardson

Natasha Richardson

Liam Neeson and his two young sons were comforting each other today following the devastating loss of Natasha Richardson.

The 45-year-old wife and mother died in a New York hospital after suffering a serious head injury in a fall at a Canadian ski resort.

Neeson had maintained a vigil by his actress wife’s bedside since the freak accident on Monday. It is understood he was with her when she died, along with their two young sons, Micheal (13) and Daniel (12), and her mother and sister.

Ms Richardson — a member of one of Britain’s great theatrical dynasties — was rushed to a hospital in Montreal following the fall on a beginners’ slope at the luxury Mont Tremblant resort. She was later transferred to New York by private jet.

Neeson (56) accompanied her on the journey, holding her hand and caressing her face throughout.

The news of her death was announced late last night by Neeson’s publicist Alan Nierob.

In a statement released on behalf of the Schlinder’s List star, he said: “Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha.

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“They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.”

Following the announcement Neeson was seen arriving back at the couple’s West Side home in Manhattan.

Wearing a grey wool hat, jacket, scarf and jeans, he looked exhausted, but managed a faint wave to well-wishers.

Earlier in the day, members of Ms Richardson’s family had gathered at Lenox Hill Hospital, prompting much media speculation that the actress was not going to pull through.

Her mother Vanessa Redgrave and sister Joely Richardson were seen arriving at the hospital.

Reporters and television crews also gathered at the hospital, waiting for updates on the actress’s condition.

The silence from both medical staff and the family fuelled speculation that the news was not good.

Throughout the day there were a growing number of reports that Ms Richardson was brain dead following what seemed, at first, like an innocuous fall.

As news of her death broke, tributes began pouring in for Ms Richardson, with theatre critics hailing her as a “wonderful performer”.

Richardson, whose father director Tony died of Aids-related causes in 1991, was also on the board of the US-based charity amfAR, The Foundation for Aids Research.

A spokeswoman for the charity said: “Our hearts go out to her family. This is a catastrophic loss for them, and it is a terrible loss for amfAR and the fight against Aids.”

She said Richardson was a “dedicated Aids advocate” and an “eloquent spokesperson for amfAR”.

“She generously contributed her time and resources to amfAR for over 15 years,” she said.

“Natasha's passion for the cause and tireless efforts gave hope and inspiration to the scientists and healthcare workers on the front lines of this deadly epidemic, as well as to the millions of people living with HIV/Aids around the world.”

Born in May 1963, Richardson was also the granddaughter of Sir Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson, the sister of actress Joely Richardson, and the niece of Lynn Redgrave.

She married Neeson in 1994 after the pair met in a Broadway production of Anna Christie. Neeson was filming a new movie, Chloe, in Toronto when he was alerted to the news of his wife’s skiing accident.

He immediately left the film set and rushed to be at her side.

Comments

39 Comments

Nothing will replace a lost love, a love held so deeply.

Holding tightly, memories that bring comfort may be all that can be done.

Allowing time to caress your pain, and sharing memories,
until a measure of happiness, finds a way to gently support you

I lost some one close to me, & its taken two years for some normality to find me again.

my thoughts are with you, as are those of so many...

Posted by sheila | 06.09.09, 17:36 GMT

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Dear Familey and friends,

I am a huge fan of Liam and Natasha's work, i love watching the diversity of your work.
No words can describe what you are going through even now months on from you losing your beloved Natasha, I just wanted to say my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

I will always remember her and will always be a fan.

xxxxxxx forever in my thoughts

Posted by melanie hill | 12.08.09, 20:04 GMT

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Dear Mr. Neeson,
Your performances have touched our hearts.
Now your pain has touched us deeply.

Sincerely,
Mr. and Mrs. Aguilera
Prescott Valley, Arizona

Posted by Mr. and Mrs. Aguilera | 27.05.09, 06:02 GMT

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To the family of Natasha Richardson, husband Liam, sons and mother: This Grief, it is heavy, thick and opaque, senseless and impossible. The love, legacy and hope is in the children that are living and share the spirit and genetic being of their mother and father. May your lives be rich in love, laughter and honor the mother and wife that Natasha embodied so well. May your suffering be illuminating as to what is most precious on this earth. Please live fully to honor your mother and wife and become the best people you can become. Your fear, loss, confusion, changes and depth of love are the common denominator in all our lives.
May you find peace through healthy endeavors.

Posted by Antonietta | 08.05.09, 19:26 GMT

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i couldnt believe when i heard this , i was in tears :(

such a lovely women , its devistating that this happened.
you have my love and prayers for you and your son to pull thru and stay strong through these difficult times.
god bless you all XXXXX

Posted by mike | 18.04.09, 16:59 GMT

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Liam& Family- Our hearts and prayers are with you - To lose a beautiful person as lovely as Natasha. The Lord gave her to you and the wonderful memories . When it was time for her to go home- He wanted you to remember the love she bestowed in your hearts and the qualities she instilled. She will always be in your heart and your son's. Angels are all around us- and so will she. When you see the love and the hurt even tho you didn't know this family personally, you still have heartfelt sympathy and would like to let the family know they are in your prayers and you feel their pain to let them know- God Bless you and your family! Stay close to the Lord in prayers!

Posted by Nancy Armstrong | 28.03.09, 18:37 GMT

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When will it ring, I wait each day
the small screen bears no name
keep ringing let me know your fine
The screen is blank , you never came,
Ill wait to hear your voice again,
Just one call to let me know,
that you are safe , will watch over us,
And then Ill let you go.
This modern world can do such things
To keep us close forever,
Dont need a cell phone to remember you.
As your in my heart forever.... hope Liam likes the words xxx

Posted by Donna from Glasgow | 27.03.09, 15:34 GMT

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Dear Mr. Neeson,
I am only one of many fans, and the reason it has taken me so long to write is because all of this movie star stuff can get so trite and foolish. But you and your family have been such a good example of how we all should behave. And I have been moved to tell you how touched I am by your bravery. I send you heartfelt condolence. I am so sorry for your loss. Know that a thousand prayers have been sent on your behalf and mine are among them. Thank-you for behaving in such a generous manner . I shall try to remember and follow your example when lifes' twist and turns. Thank-you for giving dear Natasha's organs away. She must be soooo proud. I know she is hugging you from heaven. These pages are for us to "get it out" but I will do my best to remember you and Natasha's charities, and work harder at my own. Your sharing so Publicly your grief and mourning gives me an example to follow and comfort as I face my own lifes' losses. May God Bless You and Keep You.

Posted by Karen Churchill-Hairston | 27.03.09, 15:22 GMT

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Mr. Neeson, I am still shocked and deeply sad over the death of your beautiful and talented wife. She was a terrific actress and a very classy, gentle lady. I will miss seeing more of her diverse acting skills. My deep sympathy to you, your children, Vanessa Redgrave and Joely Richardson. I’m so sorry for your loss.

Posted by Suzanne Moreno | 24.03.09, 03:11 GMT

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May she rest in peace.

Posted by Ann Murphy | 22.03.09, 21:39 GMT

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I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful wife. Your life will never be the same again but it will be henceforth enriched by the sole fact that Natahsa was in your life. Let family and friends comfort you. Let God console you and heal you.

Posted by Sarah | 22.03.09, 11:22 GMT

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She was a remarkable woman and a remarkable actress who didnt get nearly enough good roles and whos best film roles were yet ahead of her. Her cinema presence will be missed, she was a class act and Liam was a truly a blessed man for the time that she was in his life. slumdog millionaire box office

My thoughts and prayers go out to Liam and his children and to Mrs. Redgrave, Natashas mother, no mother should ever have to bury her child.

Posted by stephen voss | 22.03.09, 00:21 GMT

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My deepest sympathies to the family. God will help you through this.

Posted by Judy | 21.03.09, 23:46 GMT

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I want to let the family of Natasha know that my prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. God has her in Heaven and I bet she will alwasys be your Guardian Angel forever.
Jeri

Posted by rosiesophia77@gmail.com | 21.03.09, 20:09 GMT

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We send our very deepest sympathy to the family of Natasha Richardson. She wwill always be lovingly remembered as a great treasure to the world of the theatre and a truly wonderful daughter, wife and mother of two very special boys. Her legacy and great talent, as a member of two extraordinary acting families, will live on forever.

Posted by Joan and Carl Lawrence | 21.03.09, 05:16 GMT

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we were so saddened and sorry to hear of the tragic death of Natasha. our thoughts are with Liam and the boys and this Sunday wont be a happy mothers day for them. hope they all find strength and comfort in the prayers that are for them.

Posted by alexandra ball | 20.03.09, 17:53 GMT

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To Liam and family,
If you should read this please know that millions who do not 'know' you certainly feel your pain and wish to carry you with love through this nightmare. We could see the love you felt for each other and feel terrible. Nothing seems adequate to console you over the loss of your beloved Natasha. The world has less light and beauty. Hugs to all of you in pain.

Posted by Rebecca Janelli | 20.03.09, 05:13 GMT

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I am so sorry for you loss, no words can I say can heal your pain. Please know that you and your family are in prays.

Posted by Gina | 20.03.09, 04:08 GMT

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I've ever done this before, but i feel sad because of your loss. And i have felt the need of telling you, even you would never read it. I send you all my support, my most deeply condolence and hope you'll be able to gather all strenght you need, and your family need, to go through this and raise again to honor her the way she have deserved.

Posted by JOSE LUIS JOLO | 20.03.09, 02:30 GMT

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Another shining star none of us have ever met is soaring with the angels. Yes it is desperately sad but tragedies like this and Goody happen every minute of every day. Do you people just walk the streets wringing your hands and wailing all day? Or is it just celebrities you care about?
Steve: "Writeing this is tough, seeing through the tears", tell me thats sarcasm...

Posted by kwilson | 19.03.09, 22:01 GMT

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39 Comments

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