The Fourth of July is one of America’s most celebrated holidays, filled with fireworks and parades across the country.

However, while many look forward to the festivities, actor Liam Neeson experiences deep loss and sorrow as the period brings back painful memories.

July 3 marks the wedding anniversary of Liam and his late wife, Natasha Richardson.

Before the tragic end to their 16-year marriage, Liam and Natasha shared a love that seemed straight out of a Hollywood romance.

Liam Neeson will forever cherish the precious moments he had with Natasha. After short dating spells, including with Brooke Shields, Liam met Natasha Richardson.

In 1993, the duo starred in the Broadway play Anna Christie, and their on-stage chemistry quickly turned into real-life romance.

“I’d never had that kind of explosive chemistry with an actor or actress,” Liam reminisced. “It was like a magical dance we performed every night, a bit like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.”

At the time, Natasha was 29 and married to producer Robert Fox. Despite her crumbling marriage, she and Liam fell deeply in love.

Everyone noticed their undeniable chemistry. Luckily for Liam, Natasha’s marriage was nearing its end.

On her 30th birthday, Liam sent her a card from the set of Schindler’s List with the message, “You’re catching up with me. Lots of love, Oskar.”

However, Natasha wanted clarity, replying, “This is like a letter from a buddy. What is our relationship?”

It was then that Liam realized how much he loved her. “I thought, ‘This is real and genuine and something I need to protect,’” he said.

In the summer of 1994, they tied the knot on a farm in upstate New York.

Had Two Sons Together

Appearing on My Favorite Song with John Benjamin Hickey, Liam shared a tender memory from their 1994 wedding—Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love” was their wedding song.

Their union gifted them two sons: Michael, born in 1995, and Daniel, in 1996.

Unfortunately, Natasha passed away in 2009 at age 45 after a skiing accident in Quebec.

She was taking private skiing lessons when she fell on a beginner’s slope, hitting her head despite not wearing a helmet. Everyone, including Natasha, initially thought it was minor.

Against her instructor’s advice, she continued skiing. Later, medical assistance was called, but Natasha refused it.

Natalie and her instructor returned to her hotel, the luxurious Hotel Quintessence, to rest. When paramedics arrived, they were dismissed but advised a doctor’s consultation.

About an hour later, Natasha felt unwell. An ambulance rushed her to Centre Hospitalier Laurentien in Ste-Agathe and later to Hôpital du Sacre-Coeur.

It was revealed that she had suffered serious brain trauma from the fall.

Liam shared, “I was told she was brain dead. She was on life support, 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.’”

Honoring a pact they had made, Liam decided to remove her from life support if either became vegetative, Natasha had willed it to be so.

Natasha died on March 18, 2009. Consolingly, she was an organ donor. Her heart, liver, and kidneys went on to save others’ lives.

”I Went in to Her and Told Her I Loved Her…”

Liam opened up to Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes about her accident, admitting he initially didn’t grasp its gravity.

Doctors showed him her X-rays and explained her vegetative state.

”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,’” Liam recalled.

Sharing their last moments, he added, “I went in to her and told her I loved her. I said, ‘Sweetie, you’re not coming back. You’ve banged your head. We’re bringing you back to New York, and all your family and friends will come.’”

Understandably, years after her passing, Liam continues to struggle with the loss.

In an interview with Loaded magazine, he shared, “Her death was never real. It still kind of isn’t.”

Reflecting on their life together, Liam cherished Natasha’s nurturing spirit the most.

“She cared for everyone. She had a motherly instinct and would make dinners for all, taking care of us.”

Honoring their decision to be organ donors, Natasha’s passing brought life to three individuals.

”Life Is Very Short”

Each year, as their anniversary approaches, Liam reflects on the love they shared.

In 2016, he conveyed a heartfelt message to fans, urging them to cherish their partners.

“We have to be thankful for our spouses. Life is short. Spend time with your loved ones and treat them well. One day, when you look up from your phone, they won’t be there. Live and love every day like it’s your last.”

Liam stressed the importance of valuing every moment. “Life is worth living,” he reminded.

Indeed, Liam. Cherishing our partners and the memories we build with them is important life advice that resonates with us all.