Actress Natasha Richardson was tragically killed in a skiing accident in 2009 at the age of 45. May 11, 2025, would have been her 62nd birthday. To mark the occasion, Natasha’s younger sister, actress Joely Richardson, asked their mother, the legendary star of stage and screen Vanessa Redgrave, if she wanted to say anything to mark the occasion. The Oscar-winning actress had this to say:
“We were in Greece. We sat drinking our coffees in Constitution Square. Tony (my late father) said if the baby was a boy we should call him Tom. I said if she was a girl I would like her to be called Natasha after Tolstoy’s ‘War and Peace.’
“Our Natasha, as yes she was a girl, came swimming out of my womb ready for anything. I can’t believe that she isn’t swimming somewhere now, in one of the pools or seas we explored. I will never be reconciled to her dying in the snow, and I’m sure that every mother who has lost a child will have that pain always.”
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A post shared by Joely Richardson (@joelyrichardsonsinsta)
In the comments, famous friends Julianne Moore, Olivia Munn, Alice Evans, Richard E. Grant, Amy Sedaris, Anna Friel, Andy Cohen and more left comments of love and support.
One fan wrote a particularly heartfelt message that reads, “Please let her know that she is now swimming in a different, peaceful place. My heart goes out to those who are enduring pain without the comfort of faith. Our loved ones are waiting for us, watching over us from above. One day, you will all explore new lands and seas together, united forever. Sending you warm hugs and love.”
Actress Sarah Thurstan added, “What a beautiful woman she was. When I worked on a film with her, she was generous, funny and kind. I was a no-mark actor, and she still treated me like a friend. A lovely experience to just to be in her presence. I can’t imagine your feelings of loss. ❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏.”
In addition to her mother and sister, Natasha left behind her husband, actor Liam Neeson, and two sons, Micheál and Daniel, who were just 13 and 12 years old, respectively, when their mother died.
