Natasha was 29 at the time, and married to producer Robert Fox. That wasn’t enough to stop the romance from blossoming between her and Liam, though. Her marriage was falling apart, and at the same time, she “fell very much in love” with Liam.
Their chemistry was obvious for everyone present. Luckily for Liam, who was 40 at the time, Natasha’s marriage to Robert was already coming to an end.
When Natasha celebrated her 30th birthday, Liam decided to send her a card from the set of Schindler’s List.
”You’re catching up with me. Lots of love, Oskar.” (Liam played Oskar Schindler in the film.)
But Natasha didn’t find the message as romantic as intended. Instead, she decided it was time to be upfront.
She responded by saying: ”This is like a letter from a buddy. What is our relationship?”
Right then and there, Liam knew he had fallen in love with her.
”That was when I knew I really loved this person,” he said.
”I thought, ‘This is real and genuine and is something that has to be protected.’”
Not long after, in the summer of 1994, the two were married on a farm in upstate New York.
Had two sons together
In 2018, the 63-year-old Taken actor recently appeared on My Favorite Song with John Benjamin Hickey on SiriusXM channel, when he recalled a super sweet moment from his 1994 wedding to Richardson.
Neeson revealed that their wedding song was Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love.”
They had two sons together: Michael born in 1995, followed by Daniel in 1996.
Tragically, Natasha passed away in 2009 at age 45, following a skiing accident in Quebec.
Natasha was taking private skiing lessons in the Mont Tremblant resort when she fell on a beginner’s slope. As Richardson was skiing near Montreal, she fell and took a blow to the head. She was not wearing a helmet.
In the beginning, no one, including Richardson, thought it was severe.
The actress felt okay and against her instructor’s will, she decided to go ahead with her skiing lesson. After a while, the instructor called a ski patrol and wanted medical assistance and an ambulance. But Natalie refused.
However, Natalie and the ski instructor returned to her luxurious Hotel Quintessence room and did checkups to ensure she was okay.
Later, it was revealed that the paramedics who came to the room were turned away. They again recommended she should be seen by a doctor.
Approximately an hour after the incident Mrs. Richardson was not feeling good. An ambulance was called and Mrs. Richardson was brought to the Centre Hospitalier Laurentien in Ste-Agathe and was later trasferred to Hôpital du Sacre-Coeur”.
It turned out that she had suffered serious trauma and it turned out that the impact had left her brain “squashed up against the sided of her skull.”
“I was told she was brain dead. She was on life support and stuff,” Neeson recalled. “And I went in… and told her I loved her. 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.’”
In the end, Neeson understood that he had to remove her from life support. On 60 Minutes, he explained that the two had “made a pact” that if either one of them got into a “vegetative state,” they were to “pull the plug.”
Natasha passed away on March 18, 2009. But one comforting thing for Neeson was finding her wife’s organ donor status. He said that her heart, liver, and kidneys went to people in need.
For five years following her tragic death, grief-stricken Liam kept silent, finally opening up in a 2014 episode of 60 Minutes.
”I went in to her and I told her I loved her…”
He went on to tell Anderson Cooper that he hadn’t understood the seriousness of Natasha’s accident.
Liam recalled arriving at the hospital. ”She was on life support”, he said.
At the hospital, Liam was shown Natasha’s X-rays.
Doctors told him that his wife was alive, but was considered to be in a vegetative state. She would never recover, according to the medical professionals.
”I’ve taken a tumble in the snow..”
”I spoke to her and she said, “Oh darling. I’ve taken a tumble in the snow.”
‘That’s how she described it.”
It’s heartbreaking to hear him describe their final moments together.
”I went in to her and told her I loved her. 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 ya back to New York. All your family and friends will come”, he said.
And five years after she passed away, Liam was understandably still struggling to come to terms with his loss.
In an interview with Loaded magazine, he said: ”Her death was never real. It still kind of isn’t.”
Looking back at their marriage, one of Liam says one of his favorite things about Natasha was her generous and infectious maternal love.
“She cared for everybody,” he said. “She has a motherly instinct. And she’d make dinners for everyone and just looked looked after us all.”
The couple had consented to be organ donors, and Liam saw that promise through after Natasha’s death.
With her passing, Natasha gave life to three people, even though she left three family members behind whose lives would never be the same again.
”Life is very short”
Now, each year, as their wedding anniversary rolls around, Liam remembers the love they shared.
In 2016, Liam shared a message with fans on social media remembering his late wife. He advised everyone to cherish their partners and make the most of each and every day together.
”We have to stop and be thankful for our spouses. Because, life is very short. Spend time with your spouses. Treat them well. Because, one day, when you look up from your phone, they won’t be there anymore. Live and love (every day) like it’s your last. Because, one day, it will be. Take chances and go live life. Tell the ones you love, that you love them every day.”
Liam could not underline enough that people should not take any moment for granted. “Life is worth living,” he said.
Very true, Liam. Very true indeed.
What beautiful memories he has to cling to, and wonderful life instructions for the rest of us to remember and guide us through our own lives!
On Thanksgiving Eve, I Took in an Abandoned Child Only to Uncover My Boyfriend’s True Intentions — Story of the Day
On Thanksgiving Eve, a single moment unraveled everything I thought I knew about love, family, and the future I’d planned. One unexpected encounter forced me to face a choice I never saw coming.
My cart was brimming with everything needed for the perfect Thanksgiving Eve: turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and even a bouquet of fresh flowers for the centerpiece. It was a ritual I loved, a chance to create something warm and special, even if Paul and I hadn’t fully agreed on what “special” meant for our future.
Passing the baby aisle, I couldn’t help but slow down. Rows of soft onesies and tiny shoes drew my gaze. I imagined the life I longed for—children laughing, little hands helping set the table. Paul hadn’t warmed to the idea yet, but I told myself he would someday.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“I need to grab some wine,” Paul said suddenly, pulling me from my thoughts. “Why don’t you finish up here? I’ll meet you at the car.”
“Okay. Don’t be long.”
He leaned in, kissed my cheek lightly, and walked away toward the liquor section. Before I could reach for the whipped cream on my list, a frantic voice startled me.
“Excuse me! Please, can you hold her for just a minute?”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
I turned to see a woman, her face pale and her eyes darting around. Without waiting for my answer, she placed a small child in my arms.
“I’ll be right back!” she said hurriedly and disappeared into the aisles.
The little girl was so light in my arms, clutching a well-worn stuffed rabbit and staring up at me. Her light curls framed her face, giving her an angelic, fragile look.
“Uh… hi there,” I said, crouching down to her level and carefully setting her on her feet. “What’s your name?”
“Ella,” she whispered, holding her rabbit closer.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“That’s a beautiful name.
I glanced around, hoping to catch sight of her mother, but the aisle was empty. Minutes ticked by, turning into ten. Unease settled deep in my stomach.
I couldn’t wait any longer, so I walked with Ella to the security desk to seek help to locate her mother. The staff quickly made an announcement over the intercom, but no one came forward. Ella pressed herself against my side.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Mommy said I’d spend the holidays with a new mommy,” she whispered.
The words hit me like a blow. My throat tightened as I fought back the surge of emotion.
“Lisa?” Paul approached, holding a bottle of wine in one hand and frowning as he took in the scene.
“What’s going on?” he asked, glancing between Ella and me.
I explained quickly, my words tumbling out.
“We need to take her to the police,” Paul said firmly. “They’ll know what to do.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
I hesitated, looking down at Ella. Her tiny hand was still gripping mine like I was the only thing anchoring her to safety.
“Paul, I…”
“This isn’t something you can solve, Lisa,” he interrupted. “It’s not safe to keep her with us.”
I nodded, feeling a heavy weight settle in my chest as we walked to the car. Ella climbed into the backseat. She didn’t cry or fuss, she just stared quietly out the window as the streetlights flickered past.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
***
Paul drove in silence. I glanced at Ella. Her small figure looked so vulnerable huddled in the back seat. With every passing mile, the pull to protect her only grew stronger.
“Is that turkey in the bag?” Ella’s small voice broke the silence.
“Yes,” I said, turning slightly to meet her gaze. “It’s for Thanksgiving dinner.”
“What’s Thanksgiving?” she asked, tilting her head as though trying to puzzle it out.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“It’s a holiday where we celebrate everything we’re thankful for,” I explained. “We gather with family, share a big meal, and spend time together.”
She frowned slightly. “I’ve never had a Thanksgiving. Is turkey good?”
The simplicity of her question hit me harder than I expected.
“Turkey’s delicious. And cranberry sauce, too. Have you ever tried it?”
Ella shook her head, clutching the rabbit closer. “No. Mommy says holidays are for other people.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
My heart ached for her. As the police station came into view, I felt my pulse quicken.
“Paul, pull over,” I said suddenly, pointing to a gas station on the right.
“What?” He glanced at me, his brows knitting together. “We’re almost there, Lisa. Let’s just get this done.”
“Please, Paul. I need a moment to think.”
With a huff of frustration, he turned into the gas station and parked by the pumps. I unbuckled my seatbelt and stepped out into the crisp November air.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
Paul followed. “What are you doing?”
“I’m not sure we should take her to the station yet. She’s just a child, Paul. She’s never had a Thanksgiving dinner. She’s never even tasted turkey.”
“And how is that our problem?” he shot back, gesturing toward the car. “Lisa, this isn’t our responsibility.”
“Maybe not. But doesn’t she deserve one happy evening? One night where she feels safe and loved?”
“Are you serious right now? You want to bring a stranger’s kid into our home? Do you even hear yourself?”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
I nodded. At that moment, Paul strode to the car, opened the back door, and motioned for Ella to get out.
“Paul, wait…” I started, panic rising in my chest.
“Good luck, Lisa,” he said coldly, climbing back into the driver’s seat.
Without another glance, he pulled away, leaving Ella and me standing at the gas station.
“It’s okay,” Ella whispered, looking up at me with a brave smile.
Her words both broke and steadied me. I knew I couldn’t turn back.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
***
Ella and I returned to the store. As we wandered through the aisles, I let her pick out a few extra decorations—paper turkeys, bright orange streamers, and even a tiny plush turkey she hugged tightly as if it were a long-lost friend.
“Can we get these too?” she asked, pointing to a pack of colorful paper napkins with cartoon pilgrims on them.
“Of course,” I said, smiling. “Anything else?”
She tilted her head thoughtfully, then grabbed a bag of marshmallows. “These.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
I couldn’t go back to Paul’s place, but thankfully, I had my small apartment. It wasn’t festive or particularly grand, but it was mine. So, arriving at my apartment, we began the transformation.
Ella’s enthusiasm was contagious as she helped unpack the bags. Later, she insisted on stirring the cranberry sauce, her small hands gripping the wooden spoon tightly as she stood on a step stool.
“Is this okay?” she asked, looking up at me.
“It’s perfect,” I assured her. “You’re a natural.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
The apartment began to glow from the warmth Ella brought into the space. When the turkey was finally ready, I carried it to the table, and Ella gasped as if I had presented her with a treasure.
“It’s so big,” she whispered, her eyes as round as the plates I’d set out.
“Let’s eat!” I said, pulling out a chair for her.
She hesitated, standing by her seat. “This is like a real Thanksgiving, right?”
“It is. The realest one I’ve ever had.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
We sat together, and Ella’s laughter rang out as she tried cranberry sauce for the first time, her face scrunching up before she declared it “weird but good.”
Ella sat on the floor, cradling her plush turkey and staring at the glowing candles.
“Tomorrow, it’ll be over. I know I can’t stay.”
I knelt beside her, pulling her into my arms. “Ella, I wish you could. But tonight is ours, okay? No one can take this away.”
She nodded against my shoulder. “Thank you for today. It was the best day ever.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
Meanwhile, a sharp knock at the door shattered the moment. I opened the door to find two representatives from Child Protective Services standing there. Behind them, Paul stood silently.
The CPS worker knelt at Ella’s level. “Hi, sweetie. We’re here to take you somewhere safe.”
Ella’s grip on my arm tightened. “Do I have to go?”
“They’ll take good care of you. I promise.”
Her small hand slipped from mine as they gently led her away. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she kept looking back at me, her turkey clutched tightly to her chest.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
***
As the door closed behind the CPS workers, I stood frozen, the emptiness of the apartment settling over me. Ella’s laughter still echoed faintly in my ears, but the warmth of the evening had vanished. I barely registered Paul’s footsteps as he walked up behind me.
“Well,” he said casually, his tone almost cheerful. “Let’s head to my place. We can still have that Thanksgiving dinner we planned.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
I turned to him slowly. “Paul… are you serious?”
My voice wavered, caught somewhere between disbelief and anger. He frowned slightly as if he couldn’t quite grasp what I was upset about.
“What? I know tonight’s been… different, but we can still salvage it. I’ve got everything ready back home.”
“Paul,” I said, my words sharp, “how can you even think about that right now?”
“Is this about earlier? Look, I’m sorry, okay? I shouldn’t have left you two like that. I… I overreacted.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
I stared at him. “You weren’t thinking clearly? Paul, a little girl needed one evening of love, of feeling like someone cared about her!”
He stepped closer, his hands raised in a gesture of appeasement.
“I get it. And I’m sorry. But Lisa, you can’t let this ruin everything. We’re good together as we are. Why complicate things with kids?”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Paul, this isn’t just about Ella. I’m 36. It’s about the family I’ve dreamed of.”
“Lisa, I love you. Isn’t that enough?”
“Not really. Not in the way I need us to be.”
“You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I am.”
“I guess this is it, then,” Paul muttered, heading for the door.
I didn’t stop him. The life I had imagined with him was nothing more than an illusion.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
***
That night, sleep was impossible. I lay awake, my mind replaying every moment with Ella. By morning, I drove to CPS and explained my intentions. The caseworker warned me of the challenges.
“These processes take time. It won’t be easy.”
“I’ll wait,” I said without hesitation. “However long it takes.”
Weeks passed. Finally, on Christmas Eve, the call came. My approval had been finalized. Ella was coming home.
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When I opened the door to see her standing there, her small face breaking into a smile, the weight of the past months disappeared. She ran into my arms, hugging me tightly.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Welcome home, Ella.”
That night, we decorated a Christmas tree together, stringing lights and hanging ornaments. Ella became my miracle, the heart of every holiday to come, and the family I had dreamed of for so long.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
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