Liam Neeson’s Mom-In-Law Helped Him Raise His Kids After He Lost Wife Natasha Richardson | She Turned 86

“I have a great support team [and] if I’m away on a project, my mother-in-law moves in,” Liam Neeson shared.

Cover Image Source: Getty Images (L) Photo by Nick Elgar; (R) Photo by Larry Busacca

By Shruti Menon

June 30, 2023

Posted June 30, 2023

Editor's note: This article was originally published on February 3, 2023. It has since been updated.

Liam Neeson and Vanessa Redgrave are still close as ever. The legendary British actress known for her work in theater, film, and television recently turned 86 years old. Neeson married her daughter Natasha Richardson in 1994 but she, unfortunately, passed away in 2009 after a skiing accident in Canada.

According to Irish Central, Neeson, and Vanessa Redgrave continue to maintain a beautiful relationship and have nothing but kind words for each other. Redgrave has spoken openly of Neeson's kindness and warmth as a person and he has returned the compliments, especially of her talent and dedication as an actress.

Liam Neeson & Natasha Richardson, with her sister, Joely Richardson & their Mother, Vanessa Redgrave at the 10th Anniversary benefit for the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Association which recently merged with the Christopher Reeve Foundation the event was held in New York City on November 14, 2000 (Photo: Nick Elgar/Getty Images) — Liam Neeson & Natasha Richardson, with her sister, Joely Richardson & their Mother, Vanessa Redgrave on November 14, 2000. Image Source: Getty Images | Photo By Nick Elgar

The actress has had a successful acting career which began in the 1950s. Born in London in 1937 she quickly made a name for herself and has since won numerous awards and accolades, including six Oscar nominations and a Tony Award. Some of her most renowned film roles include Julia (1977), The Bostonians (1984), and Howards End (1992).

Redgrave also helped the single father take care of his children whenever he was off to shoot for films. Neeson once told PEOPLE that she helped him balance fatherhood and work. “It’s always a balance,” he shared of raising his two sons, Michael, 27, and Daniel, 26, as a busy actor and single dad. “I have a great support team [and] if I’m away on a project, my mother-in-law moves in,” he shared.

What a priviledge to welcome today two of the greatest @UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors, Liam Neeson and Vanessa Redgrave, tireless advocates for #childrenrights and #refugee children pic.twitter.com/YilVgm1Pzb
— Paloma Escudero (@PalomaUnicef) December 18, 2017

Redgrave is a special person in his life and holds a special place in his heart having lost two incredible women who were dear to him. Apart from his wife, he also lost his mother Kitty just one day before his 68th birthday. Katherine "Kitty" Neeson died in northern Ireland at the age of 94 on June 6, 2020. Her death was noted during the mass at All Saints Church in Ballymena, which was live-streamed on the church's social media page.

The Love Actually star's mother had been unwell for a few months after she had a fall, and had been recovering in nursing homes, first in Ballymoney and then in Ballymena, according to Belfast Telegraph. Kitty was a former school cook and her husband Bernard had been a school caretaker. He died in 1988.

Liam Neeson thinks of late mother Kitty ‘everyday’https://t.co/ss4qftN49A pic.twitter.com/lpyyfR9KNE
— BelTel Entertainment (@BelTel_Ent) October 16, 2021

Speaking of the sadness he endured after the loss of his wife he admitted to Esquire that the weird thing about grief is that you can't prepare for it. "You think you're gonna cry and get it over with. You make those plans, but they never work. It hits you in the middle of the night — well, it hits me in the middle of the night. I'm out walking. I'm feeling quite content. And it's like suddenly, boom. It's like you've just done that in your chest," he said.