Daniel Neeson, the son of Liam Neeson and the late Natasha Richardson, is opening up about undergoing surgery for a rare congenital heart defect.
“I was born with BAV (Bicuspid Aortic Valve) a condition where the aortic valve has two leaflets instead of the normal three,” Daniel, 29, wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday, March 3. “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,” Daniel continued. “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.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, a bicuspid aortic valve can lead to issues including the narrowing of the aortic valve, backward flow of blood and/or an enlarged aorta, which Daniel said he experienced.
“Nothing is more empowering than understanding your health, staying on top of your game, and planning ahead. Health is about being proactive, not reactive,” the Naked Gun actor’s son wrote.
“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,” he shared.
“I’ve always prided myself on pushing through battles and working to control my environment,” Daniel wrote. “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,” he went on, thanking his medical team for “taking unbelievable care of me.”
Daniel wrote, “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,” he concluded.
Liam, 73, has two sons with his late wife, Daniel and Micheál, 30.
In Tuesday’s post, Daniel also thanked his fiancée, Natalie Ackerman, to whom he got engaged in September 2025 after eight years of dating.
“Such an overwhelming feeling of love!!!!!! I love you, Danny, and I’m so thankful for all our friends and family who made this day so special 🥹 Beyond grateful,” Natalie wrote on Instagram at the time.
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