Natasha Richardson

Actor Natasha Richardson has died from an injury she suffered during a ski lesson. It seemed to be just a tumble on the bunny slope and she reportedly seemed OK even laughing and joking right after the fall. But, as we now know, Natasha started to feel ill later and was taken to the hospital. Now this beautiful, talented artist, wife, mother, daughter, sister is gone at age 45. I cannot imagine how devastated her family must be.

I feel very sad about her death. I was hoping so hard that she would recover. Maybe because I didn't want such evidence that life could be so fleeting, so unfair. Maybe because she was so young. Of course, lives end suddenly everyday. There are car accidents, plane crashes, and heart attacks. Here in Chicago there have been 28 violent gun deaths of school children this year so far. Very sad and the reasons for these sudden, ridiculous, heartbreaking losses are complex and troubling.

For Tony award winner Natasha Richardson, granddaughter of British stage legend Sir Michael Redgrave, daughter of director Tony Richardson and Vanessa Redgrave, niece of Lynn Redgrave and wife of actor Liam Neeson, to die from a tumble on a bunny hill, makes no sense. Not a car crash or a plane crash or an illness, not that that would be any less sad for her family and friends and fans. But such a loss from a simple fun day learning to ski seems more difficult, more cruel.

My heart goes out to Natasha's family. R.I.P. beautiful talented lady.


Natasha and her mother Vanessa Redgrave. Both of Natasha's parents are Oscar winners.


Natasha and husband actor Liam Neeson. They have two sons ages 12 and 13.