For many people the days leading up to and following the first of January prompt lots of reflection about the past.
Actress Joely Richardson was among them when she found herself reminiscing about her family on New Year’s Eve, in particular her late sister Natasha Richardson.
The 60-year-old shared two throwback photos on Instagram from her family’s photo album that were taken in 1994, shortly after Natasha married fellow actor Liam Neeson.
The first image includes Natasha and Joely with their mother, iconic actress Vanessa Redgrave and Joely’s daughter Daisy Bevan, and brother Carlo Nero, from Vanessa’s second marriage to actor Franco Nero.
The second photo is of Vanessa and Natasha sitting down with huge smiles on their faces.
“Thinking about families over these holidays. How much we can infuriate each other, push each others buttons etc, but oh that primordial LOVE,” she said.
“These photos were taken the summer my sister Natasha got married. After her honeymoon she came to visit us in London. My daughter @daisybevan had been her bridesmaid so rushed to put her outfit back on.
“My brother Carlo was there. Mum hadn’t been able to go to the wedding so we raised a glass. Raising a glass to you and yours on this eve of a new year.”
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Vanessa was unable to attend Natasha’s wedding so they’re celebrating together in this photo. (Instagram/@joelyrichardsonsinsta)
In an interview with The Guardian Joely explained that she often posts photos of Natasha on social media saying, “it was so long ago that now life after her death has become the norm.”
However, she admitted it took years to “regroup” after the tragedy.
“It was completely life-changing. I hadn’t lived a day without her and she was a figurehead for me, as well as being my sister. When a tragedy like that happens and there are children to think about, everything’s blown to pieces and then it has to come back together again quickly,” she said.
Natasha died almost 17 years ago at the age of 45 after she fell and hit her head while skiing in Canada in March 2009.
She suffered an epidural hematoma and was hospitalised two hours after falling.
Following transfer to a New York City hospital Natasha was put on life support but died two days later.
Natasha’s husband Liam Neeson was by her side when she died.
The actress was survived by their two children Micheál, who was only 13, and his younger brother, Daniel, who was 12.
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Natasha starred in a long list of films, including Gothic and Patty Hearst but is best known and much-loved for her role as Elizabeth James in the 1998 version of The Parent Trap.
In the Disney film, which starred Lindsay Lohan as twins Hallie Parker and Annie James, Richardson played the girls’ mother Elizabeth James.
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A scene from The Parent Trap with Lindsay Lohan and Natasha Richardson. (Buena Vista Pictures)
Natasha, Vanessa and Joely together in the ’90s. (Ron Galella Collection via Getty)
Natasha’s final role was in the 2008 film Wild Child, in which she played the headmistress of a boarding school.
Joely is also an accomplished actress with roles in the Mel Gibson blockbuster The Patriot, hit TV series Nip/Tuck and most recently the film Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.
Vanessa, meanwhile, can currently be heard on screen narrating British drama series Call the Midwife. Her six decade career, which includes an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for the 1977 film Julia, began with the 1966 satirical movie Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment.
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