Natasha Richardson Dead At 45

Two days after a freak ski accident in Canada, Natasha Richardson passed away in New York on Wednesday at the age of 45.

From the AP:

Alan Nierob, the Los Angeles-based publicist for Richardson's husband Liam Neeson, confirmed her death in a written statement.

"Liam Neeson, his sons (Micheal, 13, and 12-year-old Daniel), and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha," the statement said. "They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time."

The statement did not give details on the cause of death for Richardson, who suffered a head injury and fell on a beginner's trail during a private ski lesson at the luxury Mont Tremblant ski resort in Quebec. Seemingly fine after the fall, about an hour later she complained that she didn't feel well.

She was hospitalized Tuesday in Montreal and later flown to a hospital in New York, where family members had been seen coming and going.

Richardson married Liam Neeson in 1994 and together they have two sons, splitting their time between an apartment in New York City and a farm in Millbrook, NY. She is the daughter of Vanessa Redgrave and the late Tony Richardson and the sister of actress Joely Richardson.

Richardson, who was supposedly brain dead Tuesday when flown to New York, was reportedly taken off life support earlier Wednesday. Initially she got up and walk away laughing from the crash, only complaining hours later of feeling sick.

FOR MORE:

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See photos of Natasha and Liam from the past 15 years.

See photos of Natasha and her mother Vanessa Redgrave.

Read about Richardson's life on stage

Read the whole AP obituary.

Read the New York Times' obituary

See a slideshow of Richardson's life and loves from People

Read the Guardian's obituary

See a slideshow of her career from the New York Daily News

Comments

[dallashailee]

Not to sound like one of those crazy people, but I've seem a couple of her movies and a couple of interviews with her...and I got a really strong feeling that she was a very down to earth and warm person.

This may sound strange, but before they OFFICIALLY announced her deceased, I cried and prayed for her more than once. I had a aunt (like a sister to me) who was pronounced brain dead in November at the age of 38 and the hardest thing to do was to let her go. Part of me was content with her staying on respirators until I could pray her out of that state. We honestly thought they would give us that option...but they gave us about a day to call everyone we could to say goodbye to her. I wish no one had to go through that situation.

[demlover1]

A very sad story. I was a big fan of both Ms. Richardson and her husband. She was a wonderful actress and my condolences go out to her family and friends.

[dartagnan]

Liam Neeson. Sorry for the typo.

[dartagnan]

People grope for answers when something like this happens -- Would a helmet have saved her? Would faster or better medical care have saved her? -- but the only lessons to be learned from such a tragedy are these:

The human body is fragile. Our lives hang by a thread. And the universe is indifferent.

My sincere sympathy goes out to the family, especially Mr. Neesom, one of my favorite actors and a very decent human being.

[kingmiller]

My sincerest condolences.

[Agentlady007]

I remember when Princess Diana died, and her two sons were so eloquent during the funeral march. They were so strong and held themselves together so well, and inside I know they were just heartbroken and almost destroyed from their loss. No one will ever take their mothers place and they know this. I hope the children understand the passion their parents both had for the theater and acting. That for how ever long their mother's life was, it was as beautiful life, and will still be a part of their daily thoughts forevermore, I hope they both hold a close bond to their father now, because I know he needs them too more than ever--- and let their grandmother also become a part of their lives more. I hope they are all given the privacy they deserve.
This is a clip from Natasha and Liam talking about Eugene O'Neil.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej4307VGqeU&feature=related

[notconfindtweenhatnboots]

Yes.. there is some small solace in that they are British and her sons can hopefully identify with Prince Harry and the future King William as role models in how to deal with the death of such a beloved mother at such an early age. It's still heartbreaking though.

[timafi]

tragic.If only she had an helmet on.maybe just maybe her life could have been spared.
RIP Mrs Richardson I really hope you didn't suffer these past days.
I'll say a prayer for your mom;sister;husband and boys.May God give them strenght and guide them the rest of their life

[dlvme2]

I know what you are saying about the helmet, but in her case I really do not think it would have made a difference as there were no marks. Regardless they should probably be mandatory.

[dartagnan]

"May God give them strenght and guide them the rest of their life"

Sorry to appear callous, but if God had cared about them he would not have let their mother die. I don't know whether or not there is any guiding principle in the universe, but if there is I am convinced it is indifferent to human beings, their lives and their concerns.

[Gould123]

If it was her time, a helmet wouldn't have helped. We all have a time/place to meet our father in heaven. Bless the family, and God be with them!

[Hayastan1915]

If she'd worn a helmet may have survived, that's that. What kind of argument is it to say that she would have died anyway because it was 'her time'. Yeah right. There's such a thing as 'causality' in this world I'm afraid.

[shedances]

What a tragic story; & to someone who was only 45. I'm glad her family was around her at the end, and that she had a good (albeit, short) & enriched life! So sad.

[TheAlchemist]

May she rest in peace.

[alsm9]

How devastating for her family. I doesn't even sound like she hit her head. The jolt of the fall seems to have triggered a brain anerysm (sp?). Very scary. My aunt died of this. One minute she was perfectly fine, the next she was gone. So sudden and there's nothing anyone can do about it. Life can be so fragile.

[littlebrowngirl]

Devastating loss for this or any family. I am deeply hurt by this news.

I hoped that she would make it. My prayers and thoughts go out to her children, husband, family and friends.

[lwyte2033]

Truly sad and tragic.

If anything decent can come from this, I think maybe it will highlight more the need for helmets when skiing and snowboarding. Funny, if you see someone riding a motorcycle without a helmet it grabs your attention, but it's still perfectly acceptable in general to ski and snowboard without them. Hopefully, this will go to changing that.

Horrible that something has to happen to a celebrity before it seeps into our consciousness.

My heart goes out to Liam and the family. Awful...

[kylennblack]

What a terrible tragedy. I wasn't familiar with her work but I am aware that she was a fine actress and a genuine talent.

My heart goes out to Liam, the children, their family and friends.

[scarletti]

Ohhhh! This isn't fair. I wasn't just hoping she'd make it, i really believed she would, and now i'm so mad, i just can't help myself. Oh... her poor family. I'm so sad for them. I hope time heals this wound smoothly...

Bless you Natasha. You did lovely work, and I'm sorry i haven' seen very much of it. I loved you in The Parent Trap... it's all i've been thinking about since i heard about your accident. Keep safe, wherever you are. You will be missed very much by everyone.

[dartagnan]

Life is not fair, and you'll drive yourself insane if you keep thinking it is or should be, or get angry when it isn't. It is what it is.

[scarletti]

I know life isn't fair, I'm not naive. What i i said earlier was simply expressing my sadness at the tragedy before us.

[24kgold]

She was a pretty lady, God bless her family......