Liam Neeson, 72, is 'past' dating, almost 15 years after wife's death
Liam Neeson has said he is "past" dating now he's in his early seventies, almost 15 years after his wife, Natasha Richardson died.
The 72-year-old actor opened up about his love life in a new interview, as he reflected on his past relationships and losing his wife in a tragic skiing accident in 2009 when Richardson was only 45. Neeson married Richardson in 1994 and the couple share two sons: Micheál, 29, and Daniel, 30.
"It was a horrible thing to happen," Neeson said about his wife’s sudden death from a brain haemorrhage. At the time, Neeson became focused on his children and just "making sure they were okay" after the loss of their mother.
When asked about whether he still dates, Neeson told People: "No, in a word. I’m past all that."
From 2010 to 2012, the actor went onto date a public relations executive, Freya St. Johnston, but hasn’t be linked to anyone in the years since.
Prior to his relationship with Richardson, Neeson dated actors such as Helen Mirren after they met on the set of Excalibur in 1981 and dated for four years.
"I remember being on the set and standing with Ciarán Hinds as Helen walked towards us dressed in her full Morgana Le Fey costume and we both went, ‘Oh f—," he remembered on the Graham Norton Show in 2018, "I was smitten. I think Ciarán was too, but I was very smitten!"
These days Neeson is focused on his work and family life, as his son Micheál follows in his acting footsteps, while Daniel has launched a tequila brand.
Neeson even starred in a comedy alongside his son Micheál in the 2020’s Made in Italy as he reflected that his wife would have been proud of his son carrying on the family tradition of acting. "I think Natasha would be proud. I hope so," he added.
The actor said the trio spend time together and all live nearby to his New York home, and just do "simple stuff" like watch films as well as being an "avid reader" himself.
"Just simple stuff," says Neeson, "We used to do a bit of fly-fishing together. We haven't done it for several years now."
As the Taken star looked back on his life and career he expressed his gratitude, saying he "incredibly lucky" and that he often tells himself he has "nothing to complain about."
"I'm incredibly lucky,” he said. "I never, ever forget that. Even on a bad day on a movie set, for example, I always nip myself and say, 'Come on, come on. You have nothing to complain about.' And it's true."
Read more about Liam Neeson:
Liam Neeson shares update on retirement from Hollywood (Independent, 2-min read)
Liam Neeson Recalls How His Family 'Pulled Together' After Wife Natasha Richardson's Tragic Death (People, 2-min read)
The best Liam Neeson action movies, from Taken to Batman Begins (Yahoo Entertainment, 9-min read)
