Natasha Richardson’s son Daniel Neeson has posted a heartfelt tribute to his mother to mark the 15th anniversary of her death.
Daniel – the son of Natasha and actor Liam Neeson – was 12 when his mother died following a skiing accident in Quebec, Canada, on March 18, 2009.
The 27-year-old now runs a successful tequila brand called DE-NADA, making him one of the few members of his family not to pursue a career in the arts. His older brother Micheál Richardson is also an actor, as is his aunt Joely. and his cousin Daisy Bevan.
On Tuesday on Instagram, Daniel wrote a moving tribute to Natasha, accompanied by a stunning black and white photo of her taken in 1998.
He wrote: “15 years since you left this plane forever. I look forward to meeting again someday, but for now, I take comfort in knowing that you are by my side every step of the way.
Natasha Richardson’s son Daniel Neeson has posted a heartfelt tribute to his mother (pictured in 2008) to mark 15 years since her death.
Daniel said he hoped to “make her proud” with his alcohol brand and referenced a sweet story from his childhood, calling Natasha the “OG margarita mom!”
He continued: “I hope I make you proud. I think you would definitely be proud of my margarita skills. She was the OG margarita mom!
“When I was a kid, I’d ask her for a sip, and she’d kindly tell me not to do it until you’re older. Little did she know that I would one day create my own brand of tequila and that I would have way too many margaritas on my fingertips.
He ended his post by talking about his close relationship with his aunt, Natasha’s sister, Joely: “My aunt, @joelyrichardsonsinsta, who always brightens my day, told me this week that sometimes we forget that we are on a planet in constant rotation.
“Change is inevitable and we must embrace it with open arms. Whether you are a believer in quantum physics or not, the past, future and present coexist. We are all interconnected here and there by love. The greatest life force. choose it above all else.
Daniel was at home in New York at the time of his mother’s accident, but his brother was by his side when the Tony Award winner fell and hit her head while skiing on the slopes in 2009. Their father Liam was filming in Toronto.
Natasha, who had appeared in Hollywood films such as The Parent Trap and Maid In Manhattan, was taking a beginner’s ski lesson when the accident happened.
She was not wearing a helmet and initially said she felt fine before her condition deteriorated at her hotel an hour later.
Daniel wrote a touching caption, saying he hopes to make his mother ‘proud’
Daniel (right, in 2008) – the son of Natasha (centre) and actor Liam Neeson – was just 12 years old when his mother died following a skiing accident in Quebec, Canada. In the photo on the left, brother Michael
Daniel is pictured with his father Liam Neeson (right) and actor Paul Rudd
Liam had rushed to Natasha’s side – but she didn’t initially say she wasn’t feeling well (pictured together in 2006)
Liam rushed to her side, then she was flown to intensive care in New York where she died two days later in hospital, aged 45, with her family, including her mother Vanessa and her sister Joely, at her bedside.
An autopsy revealed that Richardson died of a hemorrhage to the skull caused by a fall on a ski slope at Mont Tremblant.
In 2018, her other son Michael changed his last name to Richardson to honor his late mother and “keep her close.”
Joely posted her own tribute on Instagram, posting a photo of a young Natasha with Ethan Hawke, which she said showed the “fun” and “mischievous” side of her sister.
She also revealed that Natasha once told her she’d like to “go for it” while being “at her peak” – words that hauntingly came true.
Joely said: “Richard Eyre said at his memorial ‘it’s so hard to understand why she suddenly left because she was the most alive person I’ve ever met.’
“Tash was a great celebrator of other people’s achievements – he was so excited and happy for them – he had a mini Oscar created for Ethan when he was nominated. We went to see the Moulin Rouge (Baz Luhrmann film) at the Ziegfeld in New York.
“When we went out, she said to me, ‘If I had to go, I’d like it to be like that, at my peak.’ Well, Tash, you did it, 15 years ago today – you loved it .
Natasha’s sister, actress Joely Richardson, posted a photo of herself with Ethan Hawke, which she said showed off her “fun” and “mischievous” side.
Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen also paid tribute to his late friend Natasha, praising the “perfectly wonderful” actress.
He gave a glimpse into their friendship with photos of them dancing, vacationing, and attending red carpet events together.
The images also featured Richardson’s widower Liam Neeson and his friends Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Ralph Fiennes and Kristen Johnson.
Addressing the New York Post Previously, Daniel said his mother always pushed him to follow his dreams.
He said: “She was one of my biggest role models. She always said: ‘Never feel like you have to go down a tunnel to fit in. Do what you want to do, but do it to the best of your ability and be generous with it.’
Daniel, who lives in Manhattan, said he “always loved being outside” and enjoyed hobbies like fishing, hiking and playing hockey.
He studied theater and digital media at university but never acted professionally. Instead, he used his education to develop his business talents.
Daniel, pictured with girlfriend Natalie Ackerman, has largely stayed out of the spotlight – unlike the rest of his famous family
Daniel admitted: “I think it’s great that I caught the bug when I was young to do something different (than acting).
“You have an idea, you work out the skeleton of it and then you present it,” he explained of his entrepreneurial skills. “And when you present it, you (make sure) you build relationships with people.”
He has lived with his longtime marketing professional girlfriend, Natalie Ackerman, for about six years.
The couple enjoyed numerous trips to Liam’s ‘homeland’, Northern Ireland, as well as glamorous holidays to St. Tropez, Prague and the Czech Republic.