Liam Neeson‘s son Daniel has revealed he’s undergone surgery on a rare congenital heart defect as he shared a new health update with his followers on Wednesday.
In a post on Instagram, the tequila founder, 29, shared that he’d been previously diagnosed with the Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BAV), which was a condition where the aortic valve has ‘two leaflets instead of the normal three.’
Daniel explained that he was told he could require surgery later in life and had checks every two years, but began to suffer from ‘severe left ventricle dilation and aortic enlargement.’
He went on to share snaps and videos that were taken during his recovery in hospital, including the moment he was able to go home.
Daniel also paid tribute to his fiancée Natalie Ackerman for being his ‘rock’ during the health battle, after the couple got engaged in September.
He is the younger son of Liam and actress Natasha Richardson, who tragically died in 2009 aged 45 after suffering a head injury in a skiing accident.
Liam Neeson’s son Daniel has revealed he’s undergone surgery on a rare congenital heart defect as he shared a new health update with his followers on Wednesday
The tequila founder shared that he was diagnosed with the Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BAV), which was a condition where the aortic valve has ‘two leaflets instead of the normal three’
Daniel explained that he was told he could require surgery later in life and had checks every two years, but began to suffer from ‘severe left ventricle dilation and aortic enlargement’
Daniel wrote: ‘I was born with BAV (Bicuspid Aortic Valve) a condition where the aortic valve has two leaflets instead of the normal three.
‘About 2% of the human population has it, and most people don’t even know. It can stay dormant for years before it begins causing valve failure or enlargement of the aorta.
‘For me, I had biannual cardiology checkups for most of my life, monitoring my heart. Eventually, I started to experience severe left ventricle dilation and aortic enlargement.
‘I knew it was heading toward medical intervention. Some people with BAV are operated on later in life, but I drew the early-bird straw.
‘Nothing is more empowering than understanding your health, staying on top of your game, and planning ahead. Health is about being proactive, not reactive.
‘There’s something surreal about realizing that one of your biggest challenges was quietly developing inside you your entire life. No dramatic warning. Just science, genetics, and timing.
‘I’ve always prided myself on pushing through battles and working to control my environment.
‘This was different. This required surrender. Presence. Letting go. Trusting world-class surgeons and unbelievable nurses. Trusting the universe.
‘Trusting that even if I couldn’t control the outcome, I could control my mindset and my deeper consciousness.
‘Overcoming this wasn’t about being fearless. It was about leaning into the healing energy and being as present as possible. I looked at this operation as a ceremony, not a procedure.
‘I am forever grateful to Dr. Leonard Girardi and his remarkable team at Weill Cornell / NewYork-Presbyterian for taking unbelievable care of me.
‘To the ICU team and nurses – truly some of the greatest people on the planet – thank you. They deserve all the praise in the world.
‘Thank you to my rock @natalieack and to my family for being there every day.
‘The recovery trail is beautiful, patient, and rewarding. Always advocate for yourself and listen to your body. Everyone should have their hearts checked by a cardiologist, even if they don’t have any known defects.
‘Most importantly, surrender to the present moment. Don’t live in fear. The universe has your back when you learn to dance with it.’
A bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a heart defect that typically develops when two of the aortic valve’s three flaps fuse during fetal development.
Long-term it can be a cause of heart failure, but BAV symptoms might not be evident until adulthood, commonly in middle age.
Daniel’s health battle came after he and Natalie revealed back in September they were engaged.
He shared he proposed during a romantic boat trip on the Hudson River – taking Natalie, 28, completely by surprise as he got down on one knee to present her with a sparkling diamond engagement ring.
He shared a photo of the moment on Instagram, captioning it: ‘Life is beautiful’, as friends reshared the snap and commented: ‘screaming crying’ and ‘favourite people are getting married!!’
Daniel and Natalie met when they were students at Tulane University in New Orleans and have been dating for eight years.
The couple, who live together in New York, celebrated their engagement on Saturday night with a fun-filled bash with their friends at an Irish pub in Manhattan.
Guests sipped personalised bespoke cocktails made using De Nada Tequila – the brand Daniel co-founded with his friend Adam Millman – with playful names including Tulane Bombshell, Wine Rita, Knit Nat Negroni and the Dingus Paloma.
Daniel shared a video to his Instagram Stories of him sweeping Natalie off her feet to give her a romantic kiss.
They could also be seen cutting into a white cake decorated with flowers and laughing with friends as Natalie proudly showed off her sparkling ring.
He went on to share snaps and videos that were taken during his recovery in hospital
Daniel also paid tribute to his fiancée Natalie Ackerman for being his ‘rock’ during the health battle, after the couple got engaged in September
Daniel documented his time in hospital in the snaps on Instagram, admitting it was ‘surreal’ when he learned he’d have to undergo the procedure
One of the videos showed Daniel learning how to walk again following the operation
One of his videos also featured the heartwarming moment he was allowed to go home from hospital during his recovery
Daniel, whose brother Micheál Richardson, 30, is an actor like their famous father, was 12 years old when their mother died.
Posting an emotional tribute to her on the anniversary of her death last year, he wrote: ‘I look forward to reuniting one day but for now I take solace in knowing you’re beside me every step of the way.
‘Hopefully, I’m making you proud. I think you would definitely be proud of my margarita skills. She was the OG margarita mama!
‘As a kid, I used to ask her for a sip of hers, and she would gently say not till you’re older. Little did she know I would one day start my own tequila brand and have way too many margaritas at my fingertips.’
Natasha, who played Lindsay Lohan’s mum in The Parent Trap opposite Dennis Quaid, was the daughter of Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave and director Tony Richardson, and the sister of actress Joely Richardson.
She had been on a family holiday at the Mont Tremblant resort in Quebec when she fell on a beginner slope during a private lesson.
At first she appeared fine, even joking about the tumble and refusing medical attention, but within hours she complained of a severe headache and was rushed to hospital in Montreal before being transferred to New York.
Two days later she was declared brain dead and taken off life support with Liam at her side.
